Head-to-head comparison
University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Citadel Military College of South Carolina: which has better ROI?
Option A Columbia, SC
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Net price / year
- $22,811
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,177
- Payback
- 6.6 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 6.6 years at University of South Carolina-Columbia, on median earnings of $72,085 vs $62,177 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Citadel Military College of South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $20,723 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $82,892 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $72,085 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $21,096 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 3.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | $391,608 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Citadel Military College of South Carolina?
Citadel Military College of South Carolina, at $20,723 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $2,088 a year, or $8,352 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 University of South Carolina-Columbia 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, $9,908 more than the $62,177 at University of South Carolina-Columbia. 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, University of South Carolina-Columbia 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 University of South Carolina-Columbia, 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?
79% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Columbia, 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.