The Citadel vs Clemson University

Citadel Military College of South Carolina and Clemson University, both esteemed institutions in South Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. Citadel, a public military college, boasts a rigorous academic curriculum complemented by military training, fostering leadership and discipline. Clemson, a public research university, excels in STEM fields and agriculture, providing a comprehensive education with ample research opportunities. While Citadel's acceptance rate is more selective, Clemson's larger student body offers a diverse and vibrant campus life. Explore our detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	Clemson University
Overview
Location	Charleston, South Carolina	Clemson, South Carolina
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	94.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	86.4%	49.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $40	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $80
SAT range	N/A	1220 - 1420
ACT range	N/A	27 - 32
Students submitting SAT score		40.0%
Students submitting ACT score		30.0%
Total number of applicants	2,470	47,007
Total number of admissions given out	2,134	23,138
Admitted students who chose to enroll	566	4,593
Yield rate	26.5%	19.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $48,551 Out of state: $71,807	In state: $34,164 Out of state: $57,156
Average net price	$19,473	$23,732
Tuition	In state: $8,356 Out of state: $30,857	In state: $14,118 Out of state: $37,110
Room & board	$7,593	Room/dormitory: $7,808 Meal plan: $4,426
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	79.0% Average amount $11,451	81.0% Average amount $9,699
Students receiving federal student loan	49.0% Average amount $5,200	41.0% Average amount $5,281
Students taking out private loans	17.0% Average amount $26,781	9.0% Average amount $21,664

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,718 Men 86.4% Women 13.6%	21,653 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	975 Men 50.1% Women 49.9%	5,688 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	44.0%	48.4%
International students	1.1%	4.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,372	7,800
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina Georgia North Carolina Florida New York	South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey New York

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Psychology	Engineering Business Education Health Professions Agriculture
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.1%	85.5%
Dropout rate	9.1%	2.3%
Transferred out	16.0%	11.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,909 Year 2: $82,123 Year 3: $97,617 Engineering-Related Fields (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $86,129 Year 3: $95,438 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,390 Year 2: $63,692 Year 3: $73,572 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,512 Year 2: $59,071 Year 3: $68,635 History (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,853 Year 2: $40,017 Year 3: $57,251 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,394 Year 2: $48,617 Year 3: $55,395 Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,673 Year 2: $41,342 Year 3: $55,155 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,273 Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $52,597 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,924 Year 2: $37,856 Year 3: $49,110 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $45,696 Year 3: $46,799	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,776 Year 2: $90,762 Year 3: $98,373 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,762 Year 2: $69,079 Year 3: $82,921 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,898 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $80,104 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,368 Year 2: $74,721 Year 3: $78,362 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,182 Year 2: $68,592 Year 3: $76,236 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,048 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $76,070 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,632 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $74,017 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,398 Year 2: $66,673 Year 3: $73,905 Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,136 Year 2: $66,206 Year 3: $73,720 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,228 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $73,643

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary differences between The Citadel and Clemson University?

The Citadel is a senior military college known for its rigorous leadership development program and emphasis on tradition, discipline, and service. Clemson University is a large public research university offering a wide range of academic programs and a vibrant campus life with a strong focus on academics, research, and athletics. The Citadel requires all students to participate in a military program (Corps of Cadets) or a civilian leadership program, while Clemson offers a traditional college experience.
What types of academic programs are offered at The Citadel versus Clemson?

Clemson University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various colleges, including engineering, business, science, agriculture, and the humanities. The Citadel focuses on undergraduate programs with a strong emphasis on leadership development, offering degrees in business, engineering, humanities, mathematics, science, and social sciences. While both offer strong programs in similar fields, Clemson has a much broader selection of majors and graduate programs.
What is campus life like at The Citadel compared to Clemson?

Campus life at The Citadel is highly structured and disciplined, centered around the Corps of Cadets. Cadets adhere to a strict schedule, wear uniforms, and participate in military training and activities. Clemson offers a more traditional college experience with a wide array of student organizations, clubs, sports, and social events. Clemson's campus life is generally considered more relaxed and diverse than The Citadel's.
What are the admission requirements for The Citadel and Clemson?

Both institutions require a strong academic record, including high school GPA and standardized test scores (SAT/ACT). The Citadel places additional emphasis on leadership potential, physical fitness, and a commitment to service. Clemson is generally more competitive in terms of academic requirements due to its larger applicant pool. The Citadel also requires a medical examination to ensure candidates meet physical requirements for military training.
What is the cost of attendance at The Citadel versus Clemson?

The cost of attendance can vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state) and other factors. Generally, Clemson University is more affordable for South Carolina residents due to lower tuition rates. The Citadel's tuition is typically higher, but financial aid and scholarships are available at both institutions. It's important to check the latest tuition and fee schedules on each university's website for the most accurate information.
What career paths are typically pursued by graduates of The Citadel and Clemson?

The Citadel graduates often pursue careers in the military, government service, law enforcement, and business leadership roles. The Citadel's focus on leadership development prepares graduates for positions of responsibility. Clemson graduates pursue a wide range of careers across various industries, including engineering, technology, business, healthcare, and education. Clemson's strong academic programs and career services support graduates in finding employment in their chosen fields.
What is the ROTC program like at Clemson University?

Clemson University has a strong ROTC program (Army, Navy, and Air Force) that allows students to commission as officers in the U.S. military upon graduation. While The Citadel requires all cadets to participate in a military program, Clemson's ROTC is an optional program for students interested in military service. Clemson ROTC cadets participate in military training and leadership development activities alongside their academic studies.
How do the alumni networks compare between The Citadel and Clemson?

Both The Citadel and Clemson have strong and active alumni networks. The Citadel's alumni network is particularly tight-knit due to the shared experience of the Corps of Cadets. Clemson's alumni network is larger and more diverse, reflecting the university's broader range of academic programs and student body. Both alumni networks provide valuable career support, networking opportunities, and a sense of community for graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at The Citadel and Clemson?

The Citadel generally has a lower student-to-faculty ratio than Clemson University. This allows for smaller class sizes and more personalized attention from professors. Clemson's larger class sizes are offset by a wide range of academic resources and support services. The Citadel's smaller size fosters a close-knit academic environment, while Clemson offers a more diverse range of academic perspectives.
What are the athletic programs like at The Citadel and Clemson?

Clemson University is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and has a highly competitive athletic program, particularly in football. The Citadel is a member of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and offers a range of intercollegiate sports. While both institutions have athletic programs, Clemson's athletics receive significantly more national attention and resources.

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