Norwich University vs The Citadel

Norwich University and Citadel Military College of South Carolina, both steeped in military tradition and academic excellence, offer unique educational experiences. Norwich, the nation's oldest private military college, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Citadel's selective admissions (28%). While Norwich students pursue diverse majors, Citadel's curriculum emphasizes leadership and military science. Norwich's student body is predominantly male (63%), while Citadel's is evenly balanced (50% male, 50% female). Both institutions boast impressive graduation rates, with Norwich at 70% and Citadel at 67%. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more distinctions and determine which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	Norwich University
Overview
Location	Charleston, South Carolina	Northfield, Vermont
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Town: Distant
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	86.0%	74.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	86.4%	86.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $40
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	2,470	3,280
Total number of admissions given out	2,134	2,846
Admitted students who chose to enroll	566	656
Yield rate	26.5%	23.0%
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	$63,446
Average net price	$19,473	$27,973
Tuition	In state: $8,356 Out of state: $30,857	$41,624
Room & board	$7,593	$15,226
Available payment plans		Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	79.0% Average amount $11,451	100.0% Average amount $32,345
Students receiving federal student loan	49.0% Average amount $5,200	67.0% Average amount $5,130
Students taking out private loans	17.0% Average amount $26,781	16.0% Average amount $16,461

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,718 Men 86.4% Women 13.6%	2,988 Men 73.9% Women 26.1%
Graduate students	975 Men 50.1% Women 49.9%	684 Men 59.9% Women 40.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	44.0%	N/A
International students	1.1%	3.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Town: Distant
Dormitory capacity	2,372	2,202
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Psychology	Business Military Technologies Computer and Information Science Social Sciences Engineering
Students to faculty ratio	11:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.1%	62.1%
Dropout rate	9.1%	36.2%
Transferred out	16.0%	N/A
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	Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,287 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $109,359 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,565 Year 2: $85,760 Year 3: $91,938 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $82,904 Year 2: $79,912 Year 3: $90,759 Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,018 Year 2: $80,032 Year 3: $83,195 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,255 Year 2: $64,865 Year 3: $68,101 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,795 Year 2: $54,869 Year 3: $67,718 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,286 Year 2: $68,499 Year 3: $66,617 Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $61,753 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $66,206 Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,158 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $62,065 History (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $49,698 Year 2: $54,035 Year 3: $58,905

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Norwich University, located in Northfield, Vermont, is the oldest private military college in the United States and offers both a traditional civilian undergraduate experience and a Corps of Cadets program. The Citadel, located in Charleston, South Carolina, is a state-supported military college focused primarily on its Corps of Cadets, though it also offers graduate programs and evening undergraduate programs for civilians. A key difference is that Norwich has a larger emphasis on civilian undergraduate programs alongside its Corps, while The Citadel is more heavily focused on the military college experience for undergraduates.
Which college is older, Norwich University or The Citadel?

Norwich University is older. It was founded in 1819, while The Citadel was founded in 1842.
Do both Norwich University and The Citadel require all undergraduate students to participate in a military program?

No, not all undergraduate students are required to participate in a military program at Norwich University. Norwich offers both a Corps of Cadets program and a traditional civilian undergraduate experience. At The Citadel, the vast majority of undergraduate students are part of the Corps of Cadets and participate in military training.
What types of academic programs are offered at Norwich University and The Citadel?

Both Norwich University and The Citadel offer a range of undergraduate programs. Norwich is known for its programs in engineering, architecture, criminal justice, and nursing, as well as liberal arts and business. The Citadel is known for its programs in engineering, business, criminal justice, and education, with a strong emphasis on leadership development across all disciplines. Both institutions also offer graduate programs, with The Citadel focusing more on graduate programs for working professionals.
What is the campus environment like at Norwich University compared to The Citadel?

Norwich University's campus in Northfield, Vermont, offers a more rural and traditional New England college town setting. The Citadel's campus in Charleston, South Carolina, provides a more urban environment within a historic city. The Citadel's campus is more steeped in military tradition and visible displays of cadet life, while Norwich offers a blend of military and civilian student life.
How do the costs of attending Norwich University and The Citadel compare?

The cost of attendance can vary depending on several factors, including residency and program. Generally, as a private institution, Norwich University's tuition is higher than The Citadel's tuition for in-state students. However, The Citadel's out-of-state tuition may be comparable to or higher than Norwich's. It's best to check the official websites of both institutions for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as available financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
What are the career prospects for graduates of Norwich University and The Citadel?

Graduates from both Norwich University and The Citadel have strong career prospects, particularly in fields related to leadership, public service, and STEM. Both institutions have strong alumni networks that support career placement. Norwich graduates often find employment in government, military, engineering, and business sectors. Citadel graduates are well-represented in the military, government, business, and education sectors. The emphasis on leadership development at both institutions makes graduates highly sought after by employers.
Do Norwich University and The Citadel offer ROTC programs?

Yes, both Norwich University and The Citadel offer ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) programs for all branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps). Students in the Corps of Cadets at both institutions can participate in ROTC to commission as officers upon graduation.
What is the student body size and composition at Norwich University and The Citadel?

Norwich University typically has a slightly larger student body than The Citadel. Both institutions attract students from across the United States and internationally. The Citadel's undergraduate student body is primarily male, although the percentage of female cadets has been increasing. Norwich University has a more balanced gender ratio, especially when considering the civilian undergraduate population.
What are the admission requirements for Norwich University and The Citadel?

Admission requirements for both Norwich University and The Citadel typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The Citadel may place a greater emphasis on physical fitness and leadership potential in its admissions process, particularly for applicants to the Corps of Cadets. Norwich University considers a broader range of factors, including extracurricular activities and community involvement, especially for civilian applicants.
How do the athletic programs compare between Norwich University and The Citadel?

Norwich University competes in NCAA Division III athletics, while The Citadel competes in NCAA Division I athletics (Southern Conference). The Citadel's athletic program is generally more competitive and receives greater visibility due to its Division I status. Norwich offers a wider range of sports, catering to a broader range of student interests, while The Citadel focuses on a more select group of sports.
What kind of leadership opportunities are available at each institution?

Both Norwich University and The Citadel offer extensive leadership opportunities. At Norwich, leadership opportunities are available within the Corps of Cadets, student government, clubs, and organizations. The Citadel provides leadership training and development primarily through the Corps of Cadets structure, with opportunities to hold leadership positions within the cadet chain of command. Both institutions emphasize the development of leadership skills applicable to both military and civilian careers.

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