The Citadel, a four-year, public college in historic Charleston, S.C., offers a classic military college education for individuals profoundly focused on leadership excellence and academic distinction. Graduates are not required to serve in the military but about 30 percent of each class commission as officers in every branch of U.S. military service. Graduates of The Citadel have served the nation, their state and their communities as principled leaders since the college was founded in 1842. The Citadel Graduate College offers more than 60 master's degrees and graduate certificates in a wide range of disciplines, plus 12 undergraduate programs, through evening or online schedules. Named Top Public College in the South by U.S. News and World Report for eleven consecutive years.