The Citadel is a public senior military college located in Charleston, South Carolina. It was established in 1842 and is one of six senior military colleges in the United States. The Citadel has a rich history and is known for its educational reputation. The military program is made up of cadets pursuing bachelors degrees who live on campus. The Citadel has grown steadily from an enrollment of 460 to its present 3,500. During World War II, The Citadel had the highest percentage of any American college student body serving in the military. The Citadel sits on a 300-acre tract of land on the Ashley River just to the northwest of downtown Charleston. There are 27 buildings, built in a Spanish Moorish style, grouped around a 10-acre grass parade ground.

The Citadel is unique in that it is a military college that differs from many others. New students enter The Citadel for various reasons, including leadership opportunities, a good education, or continuing a family history of military careers. The schools philosophy is that to become a leader, you first must learn to be a follower. The Citadel is known for its strict codes, and students of any age may not have alcohol on campus and must live in dormitories all four years. There are no fraternities or sororities, and more than 90 percent of students are male.

In summary, The Citadel is a public senior military college located in Charleston, South Carolina, known for its educational reputation and rich history. It has a unique philosophy and strict codes that set it apart from other colleges.