Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs Furman University: which has better ROI?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,892 in 3.5 years versus 6 years at Furman University, on median earnings of $72,085 vs $68,635 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Furman University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,723 | $30,308 |
| Total net cost | $82,892 | $121,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $72,085 | $68,635 |
| Median debt | $21,096 | $23,250 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $391,608 | $284,268 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Furman University?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina, at $20,723 a year after aid versus $30,308 — a gap of $9,585 a year, or $38,340 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Furman University graduates earn more?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates report a median $72,085 ten years after entry, $3,450 more than the $68,635 at Furman University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Furman University?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina: its completers carry a median $21,096 in federal loans versus $23,250 at Furman University, a difference of $2,154. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Furman University, against 75% at Citadel Military College of South Carolina. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.