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Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs Presbyterian College: which has better ROI?

Public, Charleston SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Clinton SC

The verdict

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 6.9 years at Presbyterian College, on median earnings of $72,085 vs $60,194 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCitadel Military College of South CarolinaPresbyterian College
Net price / yr$20,723$20,528
Total net cost$82,892$82,112
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,085$60,194
Median debt$21,096$26,000
Payback3.5 yrs6.9 yrs
20-year net return$391,608$154,568

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 Presbyterian College?

Presbyterian College, at $20,528 a year after aid versus $20,723 — a gap of $195 a year, or $780 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 Presbyterian College graduates earn more?

Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates report a median $72,085 ten years after entry, $11,891 more than the $60,194 at Presbyterian College. 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 Presbyterian College?

Citadel Military College of South Carolina: its completers carry a median $21,096 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Presbyterian College, a difference of $4,904. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at Citadel Military College of South Carolina, against 51% at Presbyterian College. 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.

Citadel Military College of South Carolina vs Presbyterian College: frequently asked questions

Is Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Presbyterian College a better value?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina. It clears its $82,892 net cost in about 3.5 years versus 6.9 years at Presbyterian College, on median earnings of $72,085 vs $60,194 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Presbyterian College?
Presbyterian College: $20,528/yr net price after aid versus $20,723/yr at Citadel Military College of South Carolina — a difference of $195 a year, or about $780 over four years.
Do Citadel Military College of South Carolina or Presbyterian College graduates earn more?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates earn a median $72,085 ten years after entry, versus $60,194 at Presbyterian College — a $11,891 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.