Head-to-head comparison
Clemson University vs Citadel Military College of South Carolina: which has better ROI?
Option A Clemson, SC
Clemson University
- Net price / year
- $22,253
- Earnings, 10 years
- $71,513
- Payback
- 3.8 yrs
Option B Charleston, SC
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
- Net price / year
- $20,723
- Earnings, 10 years
- $72,085
- Payback
- 3.5 yrs
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 3.8 years at Clemson University, on median earnings of $72,085 vs $71,513 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Clemson University | Citadel Military College of South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,253 | $20,723 |
| Total net cost | $89,012 | $82,892 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,513 | $72,085 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $21,096 |
| Payback | 3.8 yrs | 3.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $374,048 | $391,608 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Clemson University or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina, at $20,723 a year after aid versus $22,253 — a gap of $1,530 a year, or $6,120 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Clemson University or Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates earn more?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina graduates report a median $72,085 ten years after entry, $572 more than the $71,513 at Clemson 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Clemson University or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina: its completers carry a median $21,096 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Clemson University, a difference of $404. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
87% of students finish at Clemson 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.