South Carolina is a gorgeous location to live as well as has important heritage.
The state is renowned for its military history which makes it a fitting place to study.
There are a few top military schools in South Carolina that rival anything else the nation has to offer.
Camden Military Academy is considered one of the premier college preparatory schools in the country.
Meanwhile, The Citadel in Charleston provides a place to pursue undergraduate studies in a structured military environment.
Learn more about the best military schools in South Carolina based on reputation, academics, student-to-faculty ratio, and college placement success:
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Table of Contents
#1. Camden Military Academy
- Location: 520 Hwy 1 North, Camden, SC 29020
- Founded: 1958
- Grades: 7-12
- # of Students: 300
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- Official Website: https://camdenmilitary.com/
Camden Military Academy ranks among the top military schools in South Carolina for several reasons.
The military school is located in the heart of the South.
In fact, Camden, South Carolina, is the fourth oldest city in the United States.
For this reason, students that attend Camden Military Academy are immersed in an outstanding heritage and culture.
Camden Military Academy serves as an all-male boarding school.
Most cadets that attend Camden Military Academy live and eat on campus with the option to spend 5 or 7 days per week on campus.
Camden Military Academy is open to grades 7-12 with separate dormitories for the middle and high school.
Additionally, students may wish to consider taking a post-graduate year before transitioning to another post-secondary institution.
The private military prep school exists on the campus of the former Southern Aviation School.
The Southern Aviation School was originally established to train pilots during World War II.
There were over 6,000 pilots that graduated from the aviation school, a tradition like many that is still honored at Camden Military Academy.
Academics
Camden Military Academy maintains a small enrollment of approximately 300 cadets for grade levels 7-12.
For this reason, classroom sizes remain very small with an average student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1.
Camden Military Academy is proud of its diverse student population, which includes nearly 1 in 3 students of color.
The military academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Moreover, students may earn dual-credit college courses through the University of South Carolina – Lancaster.
Camden Military Academy makes it mandatory to participate in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC).
The Corps of Cadets live on campus and participate in daily military drills and exercises.
Extracurricular Activities
Camden Military Academy has a strong and proud athletic tradition.
The Spartans compete in several varsity sports including football, basketball, golf, tennis, wrestling, baseball, and track and field.
Additionally, the school is popular for its Boy Scouts of America and Civil Air Patrol organizations.
Furthermore, the Blackjack drill team is something to consider if you are interested in the military aspect of the school.
Lastly, cadets may take part in Junior Leadership which is a terrific opportunity to develop the skills that will help you excel in life.
Average Tuition / Boarding
Camden Military Academy provides one of the most affordable boarding school tuition rates in the country.
The military school in South Carolina understands that most families need tuition assistance to cover the studies of their sons.
As a result, there are many different payment plans to consider (Full Payment Plan, Academy Payment Plan, Monthly Payment Plan, etc.).
The amount of tuition will depend on the payment plan and how quickly the family expects to pay back the amount owed.
The most affordable route (Full Payment Plan) costs $30,590 per year to attend which includes tuition, room and board, and uniforms.
On the other hand, the alternative payment plans raise tuition costs slightly yet also presents families with more time and flexibility to pay back the education costs.
There are numerous avenues to pursue to raise funds for your child’s education from a 529 Plan to applying for private loans.
Camden Military Academy recommends visiting the campus before you consider applying.
You can contact a representative at Camden Military Academy at 1-800-948-6291.
Students should consider applying in advance, as the military academy is very selective.
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#2. The Citadel
- Location: 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409
- Founded: 1842
- Grades: Undergraduate / Graduate
- # of Students: 3,700
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Official Website: https://go.citadel.edu/
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is usually shortened to its common name “The Citadel”.
The military college exists in legendary Charleston, South Carolina, and has origins that date all the way back to the mid-19th century.
It is 1 of 6 senior military colleges in the United States that also includes nearby Virginia Military Institute as well as Virginia Tech.
The Citadel features a diverse range of academics with nearly 20 different departments.
All in all, there are five colleges within the university that offer 31 majors and 57 minors.
The Citadel structures its academics and learning environment utilizing a military model.
For this reason, cadets pursue a bachelor’s degree while living on campus and participating in drills.
However, military participation is not mandatory and there are non-military programs on campus.
It also includes online programs and evening classes for working professionals.
The Citadel is a phenomenal opportunity regardless of whether you decide to pursue a career in the military or not.
Academics
The Citadel separates its academics into 6 schools: Business, Education Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Mathematics, and Leadership Studies.
Students may pursue majors in 35 different programs as well as specialize further in a variety of minors.
The Citadel also features a graduate school with 25 different master’s programs and over 35 different concentrations.
The military school in South Carolina maintains small class sizes (student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1) with the vast majority of faculty holding some type of doctorate.
Cadets are required to live on campus if they plan to participate in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets.
Furthermore, The Citadel recently introduced a new veterans program that assists military retirees in returning to school to complete their degrees.
It is also not uncommon for active-duty personnel in the Marine Corps and U.S. Navy to attend classes at The Citadel while they serve the country.
The student population at The Citadel is fairly diverse with women comprising approximately 23% of the enrollment.
Moreover, about 1 in 4 cadets at The Citadel is a person of color.
Residents of South Carolina make up nearly half of the student population, although cadets come from all over the nation and the world.
There is a huge advantage to in-state residents as tuition rates are far more reasonable.
South Carolina Corps of Cadets
The South Carolina Corps of Cadets is one of the largest uniformed bodies in the United States.
ROTC participation is mandatory at The Citadel, however, there is no service obligation after graduation, unlike the federal service academies.
Nonetheless, a substantial portion of the student population seeks commissioning.
The Corps of Cadets has approximately 2,300 members each semester, designating the ROTC program as one of the leading sources of military commission from a non-federal service academy.
The military school in South Carolina commissioned nearly 200 officers in its 2019 graduation class.
Physical challenges and military discipline are the hallmarks of The Corps of Cadets at The Citadel.
Students that are members of the Corps of Cadets are the only students permitted to live on campus.
The Citadel also competes in NCAA Division I athletics in the Southern Conference.
Cadets are encouraged to participate in intramural sports as well as support the Bulldogs in varsity athletics.
Average Tuition / Boarding
The Citadel ranks among the best military schools in South Carolina, especially because the in-state tuition rates are reasonable.
Admission is granted to The Citadel based on the type of studies.
For example, there are different requirements depending on if you want to enroll in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets compared to the graduate or veterans program.
Secondly, you’ll want to schedule a campus visit and request more information to support the decision-making process.
It costs money to apply to The Citadel, so you’ll want to make sure the school is the right fit.
The Citadel has varying tuition rates depending on the type of student.
Those that enroll in the South Carolina Corps of Cadets encounter two different rates depending on if the student resides in-state or out-of-state.
Furthermore, the tuition rate fluctuates depending on if the student is a freshman or upperclassman.
For freshmen, the in-state tuition rate averages $33,880 per year, including room and board. For sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the yearly fee is $27,094, with room and board included.
The out-of-state tuition rate is far higher as freshmen need $58,680 per yea,r while upperclassmen need to reserve $51,894.
Complete tuition rates and other budgeting considerations are available through the official website.
There are many types of financial aid available to students that need tuition assistance like any college or university.
Contact the admissions department at The Citadel for more information on financial aid and make sure you complete the FAFSA.
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#3. Military Magnet Academy
- Location: 2950 Carner Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
- Founded: 1997
- Grades: 6-12
- # of Students: 460
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 11:1
- Official Website: https://www.ccsdschools.com/militarymagnet
Military Magnet Academy is in North Charleston.
The institution distinguishes itself from other prestigious military schools in South Carolina because it’s a public offering.
Therefore, male and female students that reside in North Charleston or the nearby region qualify for admittance.
Military Magnet Academy in South Carolina educates students in grade levels 6-12.
The military school is divided into two campuses: one for the middle school and one for the high school.
The public school is different from other offerings in the area in that students are expected to wear uniforms and participate in JROTC.
Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) is a fantastic opportunity to introduce young cadets to military discipline.
Additionally, the JROTC program assists in developing leadership abilities and other skills relevant to the real world.
Military Magnet Academy is considered a leadership school that distinguishes itself from the more typical discipline or boarding schools.
Students may pursue a standard high school diploma or seek dual credit courses.
The Center for Advanced Studies (CAS) is a new classroom that features different tech-based studies.
Lastly, the Military Magnet Academy offers athletic programs, drill teams, leadership training, and summer camps.
Average Tuition / Boarding
Military Magnet Academy in South Carolina has a mission to achieve academic excellence, promote self-discipline, and develop citizenship in every student that attends the public school.
The graduation rate at Military Magnet Academy is incredibly high (90%) and helps close the achievement gap between struggling schools and students.
Cadets that graduate from the school have the opportunity to earn a Military Seal of Distinction.
While all cadets are required to wear uniforms there are many advantages to attending the military school in South Carolina.
For starters, there is no tuition as the Military Magnet Academy is 100% a public school.
Therefore, parents will save thousands a year compared to enrolling a son or daughter in a private military boarding school.
Students must reside within the North Charleston School District to qualify for attendance.
Contact the Military Magnet Academy at (843) 745-7102.
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Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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