Computer and Information Sciences at Citadel Military College of South Carolina

The Citadel's computer science program punches above its weight, delivering $71,213 in first-year earnings that beat both the state median ($65,808) and national median ($61,322). While it ranks 60th percentile among South Carolina programs—trailing flagships like Clemson and USC—it outperforms nearly three-quarters of computer science programs nationally. The debt picture looks equally solid at $21,375, roughly $5,000 below both state and national medians, yielding a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that beats many programs charging far more.

The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the sample, these numbers could shift significantly with a different cohort. The Citadel's 98% admission rate and modest SAT average (1184) suggest this isn't a selective tech pipeline, yet graduates are landing competitive entry-level positions. For families considering South Carolina options, this program costs less and delivers comparable outcomes to more established names, though it lacks the network strength of Clemson or USC.

If your student thrives in structured, military-style environments and wants solid tech employment without crushing debt, this program works. The small cohort size means you're betting on the pattern holding—but the fundamentals look sound enough to justify that bet.