The Citadel admits 98.1% of applicants, meaning nearly all students who apply receive an offer of admission. This places The Citadel in the Open Access category, with admission rates significantly higher than typical four-year institutions. The peer median admission rate of 84.6% highlights that even among similar public institutions, The Citadel maintains more accessible admission standards. However, the military college environment and rigorous lifestyle requirements create natural self-selection among applicants. Students considering The Citadel should understand that admission represents only the first step in a highly structured military education experience. The combination of open admission with demanding military discipline means that success depends more on personal commitment and fit with the military environment than traditional academic credentials. For this reason, prospective students should carefully research the military college lifestyle and consider whether they are prepared for the physical, mental, and social demands of cadet life. Building a college list around The Citadel should include both traditional civilian alternatives and other military service academies to ensure appropriate backup options.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at The Citadel typically score between 1080-1250 on the SAT, with a median of 1184. Math scores range from 540-610, while verbal scores span 540-640. These ranges represent the middle 50% of enrolled students, meaning 25% score below 1080 and 25% score above 1250. ACT scores range from 22-26 for enrolled students. The Citadel's SAT performance ranks at the 93rd percentile nationally, indicating that despite open admission policies, enrolled students demonstrate strong academic preparation. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1090, The Citadel students score 94 points higher on average. Students scoring below 1080 should expect to be at an academic disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from admission. The open admission policy means that test scores serve more as predictors of academic success than barriers to entry. Prospective students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college list. The military structure provides additional academic support, but students should be prepared for rigorous coursework alongside military training and discipline requirements. Students with significantly lower test scores should carefully consider whether they are prepared for the dual demands of military and academic life at The Citadel.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
The Citadel enrolls 19.2% Pell-eligible students and 18.8% first-generation students. While these shares are lower than at many public institutions, they indicate the college does enroll students from diverse economic backgrounds alongside those from more privileged ones. The transfer share of 14.0% reflects moderate acceptance of students from other institutions, though the military structure makes transfer integration more complex than at traditional colleges. The student body composition suggests that while The Citadel maintains open admission, the military environment and associated commitments create natural barriers that affect enrollment patterns. First-generation students should know that 18.8% of enrolled students share their background, though this is below the national average for public institutions. Students from lower-income families should consider the 19.2% Pell share when assessing fit, recognizing that military college culture may differ significantly from their previous educational experiences. The combination of accessible admission with specialized military training creates a unique environment that may appeal to students seeking structure and leadership development regardless of family background.
Given The Citadel's 98.1% acceptance rate, admission is accessible to most applicants. However, the military college environment may not suit all students, making alternatives important for different educational preferences.
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88.2% of The Citadel freshmen return for sophomore year, and 72.8% graduate within six years. These retention and completion rates exceed peer medians of 73.2% retention and 49.3% completion, indicating strong institutional support for student success once enrolled. Pell-eligible students graduate at 72.1%, creating a minimal 0.7 percentage point gap compared to overall completion rates. This small gap suggests that lower-income students who adapt to the military environment achieve similar success rates as their peers. The higher-than-peer completion rates reflect the structured military environment's effectiveness in supporting degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, particularly through the military structure that provides built-in accountability and support systems. Prospective students should weigh the minimal Pell gap as evidence that economic background has limited impact on success once students adapt to the military college environment. The combination of strong retention and completion rates indicates that students who commit to the military lifestyle typically complete their degrees successfully.
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