


The Citadel's varsity teams compete in NCAA Division I, principally in the Southern Conference. Representative varsity sports include football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and rifle, alongside other men's and women's teams. Varsity participation involves team selection and competition commitments; admission to the college does not secure a roster place or athletic aid.
Students who want to play sports without joining a varsity team should distinguish club and intramural opportunities from NCAA competition. The college's broader sports offerings include activities such as rugby, sailing and recreational sports, although the status and availability of individual clubs can change. Cadets also have physical-fitness obligations as part of their college experience, whether or not they compete in organized athletics.
The Citadel offers student organizations through which cadets can pursue academic interests, service, recreation, arts and shared viewpoints. Examples identified in college organization information include the Republican Society, Navy-Trident Society, Honors Program Advisor Council, Ducks Unlimited and fine arts activities.
An organization's presence in a directory does not establish that it is active every term. Applicants with a particular interest should check current student-activities listings and how membership works alongside Corps duties. Student organizations are distinct from ROTC units, varsity teams and institution-provided services, even when their interests overlap.
The Citadel enrolls both residential cadets and students in graduate and other non-cadet programs. Reported institution-wide enrollment is 3,933, so a figure describing all students should not be mistaken for the size of the Corps alone.
Recent figures identify 672 first-time degree-seeking undergraduates and 92 transfer-in undergraduates. Among a reported entering group of 672 students, 74 were women and 598 were men. Those numbers describe that group, not the gender composition of every academic program or of all students on campus.
Reported student origins show that approximately 54% came from South Carolina and 44% from other U.S. states. The age distribution includes substantial enrollment beyond traditional college age, consistent with the institution's graduate and non-cadet pathways. A prospective adult learner should compare the format of their intended program with cadet life rather than assume that all 3,793 students share the same schedule or residence requirement.
Everyday life at The Citadel depends heavily on whether a student joins the Corps of Cadets. Cadets follow a structured residential system with uniforms, formations, inspections, physical training and a chain of command alongside their classes. Graduate and other non-cadet students have a different experience and should not assume that a description of cadet routines applies to them.
The first cadet year, often associated with the "knob" experience, involves a particularly demanding transition to Corps expectations. Applicants should assess the time commitment as carefully as the academic major: it can affect sleep, extracurricular involvement, travel and opportunities for paid work. The college also reports a health clinic and personal counseling, resources students may use when academic or personal demands become difficult to manage.
For students who want a tightly organized residential environment, the Corps is the defining feature. For applicants primarily seeking an evening, graduate or other non-cadet degree, the more relevant questions are program schedule, campus access and support services for their particular enrollment pathway.
Daniel Library is The Citadel's main academic library. It supports coursework and research through study space, collections and access to scholarly materials beyond what students can find through a general web search.
Students can use library research assistance and electronic resources when developing papers or projects. Reported library amenities include reservable study rooms. Students who rely on a particular database, interlibrary loan service or off-campus access method should check its current availability for their course or research topic. The reported study areas are not open 24 hours a day, so late-night study plans may require another campus location.
Total enrollment
3793Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
711Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
211 full time, 137 part timeVeterans affair office
YesVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cross-country running
Fencing
Football
Golf
Ice hockey
Indoor track
Lacrosse
Riflery
Rock climbing
Rugby
Sailing
Soccer
Softball
Swimming and diving
Table tennis
Tennis
Track and field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Weight lifting
Wrestling
Data last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.