What The Citadel Is and Who Attends

The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is a state-supported military college located in Charleston, South Carolina. It is one of six senior military colleges in the United States — institutions that combine a traditional four-year college education with mandatory military training and a structured military environment. Unlike service academies (such as West Point or Annapolis), The Citadel is not free, and graduates do not owe a service commitment to the military, though many choose military careers.

The college enrolls roughly 3,400 cadets across its undergraduate and graduate programs. The student body includes both South Carolina residents and out-of-state students. The Citadel also admits graduate students to its evening and online programs, which do not require military participation.

The Citadel awards degrees in engineering, business, liberal arts, and other fields. All undergraduate cadets live on campus in the barracks and follow the same daily schedule, which includes physical training, classes, and military duties. The college is coeducational — both men and women attend and live under the same military structure.

Key Takeaways

  • The Citadel charges tuition and room-and-board costs; it is not a free military education, though South Carolina residents pay lower in-state rates.
  • All undergraduate cadets live in barracks, follow a structured daily schedule, and participate in military training, but do not incur a service obligation after graduation.
  • Admission requires a high school diploma or equivalent, passing a medical exam, and meeting academic standards; no congressional nomination is required as it is at service academies.
  • The college offers ROTC scholarships that can cover tuition and fees, though these are competitive and come with a service commitment after graduation.
  • Graduate and evening students can attend without military participation, making The Citadel an option for older or part-time students seeking a degree.

Costs and How to Pay

The Citadel publishes its cost of attendance on its website each year. In-state tuition and fees are lower than out-of-state rates. Room and board, meal plans, uniforms, and textbooks add to the total. The college also charges a one-time deposit when you enroll, which is credited toward your first semester's bill.

Most cadets pay through a combination of out-of-pocket funds, federal student loans, and scholarships. The Citadel's financial aid office can discuss federal loans (Stafford loans, PLUS loans) and state-based aid. Some cadets receive ROTC scholarships, which cover tuition and fees in exchange for a service commitment after graduation — typically four to eight years of active duty or reserve service, depending on the branch.

The college also offers merit scholarships based on academic performance and test scores. These are separate from ROTC and do not require military service after graduation. Merit aid amounts vary and are awarded during the admission process.

Admission Requirements and the process Process

The Citadel requires a completed process form, high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation. Unlike service academies, The Citadel does not require a congressional nomination. You do need to pass a medical examination to confirm you are physically fit for the military training environment, but this is a basic fitness and health screening, not a barrier for most applicants.

The process important date is typically in January for fall enrollment. The college reviews applications on a rolling basis, meaning decisions are sent out as applications are reviewed rather than all at once. You can submit your process through The Citadel's website or through the Common process.

Once admitted, you must confirm your enrollment and submit the enrollment deposit. The college then schedules your medical exam and provides information about reporting to campus for the start of the academic year. New cadets arrive before regular classes begin for an orientation and initial military training period.

The Daily Life and Military Structure

Undergraduate cadets at The Citadel live under what is called the Fourth Class System, a structured military hierarchy where senior cadets hold leadership roles over younger ones. All cadets wear uniforms, attend formation (a gathering where the corps assembles), and participate in physical training. The day typically begins before sunrise with physical training and ends with evening study time or free time after dinner.

Cadets are organized into companies (military units of roughly 100 to 150 people) and live together in the barracks. Each company has senior cadets who serve as squad leaders and platoon sergeants. This structure is meant to teach leadership, discipline, and teamwork. Cadets are expected to maintain their uniforms, keep their rooms clean, and follow a code of conduct.

Classes are held during the day, and cadets balance academic work with military duties. Weekends offer some free time, though cadets may have guard duty or other assigned responsibilities. The college also has clubs, sports teams, and social events, though these happen within the military structure.

ROTC Scholarships and Military Service After Graduation

The Citadel hosts ROTC programs for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These programs train cadets to become officers and offer scholarships that can cover tuition and fees. ROTC scholarships are competitive and based on academic performance, physical fitness test scores, and an interview. If you receive an ROTC scholarship, you commit to serving on active duty or in the reserves after graduation — typically four years of active duty or eight years in the reserves, depending on the branch.

Not all cadets participate in ROTC. Those who do not receive ROTC scholarships but still graduate from The Citadel may commission as officers through the college's commissioning program if they meet the requirements, though this does not may provide a service commitment. Many Citadel graduates enter the military voluntarily, but it is not required.

ROTC scholarships also cover books and provide a monthly stipend while you are in school. You can learn more about ROTC at The Citadel by contacting the individual service branch offices on campus or through The Citadel's website.

Graduate and Evening Programs Without Military Participation

The Citadel offers graduate degrees and evening undergraduate courses for students who do not want to live in the barracks or participate in military training. These programs are open to older students, working professionals, and anyone seeking a degree without the military structure. Graduate students can pursue master's degrees in business, engineering, education, and other fields.

Evening and online courses allow you to attend classes while maintaining a job or other commitments. These students do not wear uniforms, do not live on campus, and do not participate in formation or military training. They pay tuition for their courses but are not subject to the same fees and costs as residential cadets.

If you are interested in a Citadel degree but are not ready for or interested in the military environment, the evening and graduate programs are a direct alternative. You can explore program options and schedules on The Citadel's website.

How The Citadel Differs From Service Academies

The Citadel and service academies (West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, and others) are both military colleges, but they differ in important ways. Service academies are free — the federal government covers all tuition, room, and board. In return, graduates must serve on active duty for five years. The Citadel charges tuition and room-and-board costs, but graduates do not owe a service commitment unless they received an ROTC scholarship or commissioned as an officer.

Service academies also require a congressional nomination as part of the admission process. The Citadel does not. This makes The Citadel more accessible to students who do not have a connection to a member of Congress or who prefer not to pursue a nomination.

Both institutions provide a military education and training environment. The choice between them depends on your financial situation, whether you want a may provide service commitment, and whether you are willing to pursue a congressional nomination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to join the military after I graduate from The Citadel?

No. Citadel graduates do not owe a service commitment unless they received an ROTC scholarship or commissioned as an officer through the college's commissioning program. Many graduates do enter the military voluntarily, but it is not required by the college.

Can women attend The Citadel?

Yes. The Citadel has been coeducational since 1996. Women and men live in the same barracks, follow the same military structure, and attend the same classes. Women make up roughly 10 to 15 percent of the undergraduate cadet body.

What if I do not pass the medical exam?

The medical exam is a basic fitness and health screening. Most applicants pass. If you have a medical condition or concern, you can discuss it with The Citadel's medical office before the exam. Some conditions may disqualify you from the military training environment, but the college can explain your options.

Can I attend The Citadel part-time or online?

The undergraduate program requires full-time residential attendance. However, The Citadel offers graduate degrees and evening undergraduate courses that can be taken part-time or online without military participation. These programs are designed for working adults and students who cannot commit to the residential military structure.

How much does The Citadel cost compared to other colleges?

The Citadel's in-state tuition is comparable to other public universities in South Carolina. Out-of-state tuition is higher. The total cost of attendance (tuition, room, board, and fees) varies by year. You can find current costs on The Citadel's website. ROTC scholarships and merit aid can reduce or cover these costs.