A Path to Leadership, Excellence and Success
At The Citadel, we’re committed to developing principled leaders who shape the future of our world. The Citadel is not just a college; it’s a transformative experience. From our nationally recognized academic programs to our leadership training, we provide a clear path to success—both during your time as a cadet and after you graduate.
Your investment in The Citadel experience can start with The Citadel Success Institute (CSI), a summer transitional program that helps prepare you for your incoming freshman year academically, physically and socially. Benefit from taking core curriculum courses and earn college credit hours.
Throughout your time here, you’ll have the support of our expert faculty, the Williams Student Success Center, the Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics, the Career Center and our ROTC departments—all working together to help you succeed.
Because of our academic excellence and unparalleled value, we’re proud to be named the #1 Regional University in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
#1 Regional University in the South
U.S. News & World Report
The Citadel’s Return on Investment
The Citadel is proud to boast South Carolina’s highest Return on Investment (ROI)* among four-year colleges. We take pride in setting up our cadets for success. This starts from before your time as a cadet and continues after you walk across the stage at Commencement and become a Citadel alumni. Our alumni thrive in top industries, government and the military, and the impact of your degree lasts a lifetime.
Developing Principled Leaders for Future Endeavors
Three Core Values
The Citadel education is based on three core values:
Honor
Honor is the foundation of life at The Citadel. It begins with adherence to the Honor Code: “A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.” This commitment extends beyond campus and becomes a lifelong obligation to moral and ethical behavior.
Duty
Duty means accepting and fulfilling responsibilities with commitment and excellence. At The Citadel, cadets are expected to perform academically, contribute to the Corps of Cadets, and engage in the campus community. It is about dependability, teamwork and ultimately serving others before self.
Respect
Respect is treating others with dignity and worth—the same way one wishes to be treated. It fosters an environment free from prejudice, discrimination and harassment. Respect also extends to those in positions of authority, as well as oneself.
These values guide cadets daily, ensuring that upon graduation, you are prepared to face life’s opportunities and challenges with confidence and character.
Cadet Leader Development
The Citadel’s Cadet Leader Development Program focuses on seven key leadership characteristics:
- Lead with Humility
- Embrace a True, Authentic Self
- Act and Speak with Courage
- Develop and Value People and Resources
- Empower and Hold Others Accountable
- Respect Others by Building Trust and Learning from Mistakes
- Serve Others Before Self
Academic Excellence: Prepare for Success
With 30 majors and 50 minors, and a rigorous academic environment, you will be challenged to grow intellectually and personally. Our 11:1 cadet-to-faculty ratio ensures that you have access to top-tier faculty and a supportive learning environment.
Why Choose The Citadel?
- 100% classes taught by faculty
*full-time and adjunct professors, no classes taught by teaching assistants - 17.6 credit hours per student
*on average per semester, highest in the state of South Carolina - 3 hours of mandatory study on weeknights
- 68% four-year graduation rate
*compared to a national average of 37% for public four-year institutions, showcasing our commitment to student success and timely graduation
Post-Graduation Success: Your Future Begins Here
The Citadel provides you with the skills, network and opportunities to excel after graduation.
- 88.9% of Corps of Cadets graduates are employed, in internships or attending graduate school by the time of graduation.
- Recent Top employers include the U.S. Department of Defense, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Ernst & Young, Santee Cooper and Amazon.
- Graduate school placements at prestigious institutions like The Citadel Graduate College, MUSC, University of South Carolina, Clemson University and the University of Cambridge.
- $497,090 more valuable then the average bachelor’s degree from other public state institutions
*40-year net present value; Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce - High average salaries: Engineering graduates earn an average of $64,722, and business graduates earn $61,000.
Estimated Average Salary by School and Military Service Upon Graduation
| School of Engineering | $64,722 |
| School of Humanities and Social Sciences | $50,408 |
| Swain Family School of Science and Mathematics | $55,588 |
| Tommy and Victoria Baker School of Business | $61,000 |
| Zucker Family School of Education | $50,000 |
| Military Service | $57,527 |
