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Aiken Technical College vs Benedict College: which has better ROI?

Public, Graniteville SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aiken Technical College comes closer — median earnings $39,225 against a $9,614 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAiken Technical CollegeBenedict College
Net price / yr$4,807$18,250
Total net cost$9,614$73,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,225$31,902
Median debt$12,250$32,500
Payback
20-year net return-$192,314-$402,160

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Aiken Technical College or Benedict College?

Aiken Technical College, at $4,807 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $13,443 a year, or $63,386 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Aiken Technical College or Benedict College graduates earn more?

Aiken Technical College graduates report a median $39,225 ten years after entry, $7,323 more than the $31,902 at Benedict College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Aiken Technical College or Benedict College?

Aiken Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,250 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $20,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

34% of students finish at Aiken Technical College, against 24% at Benedict College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Aiken Technical College vs Benedict College: frequently asked questions

Is Aiken Technical College or Benedict College a better value?
Aiken Technical College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Aiken Technical College or Benedict College?
Aiken Technical College: $4,807/yr net price after aid versus $18,250/yr at Benedict College — a difference of $13,443 a year, or about $63,386 over four years.
Do Aiken Technical College or Benedict College graduates earn more?
Aiken Technical College graduates earn a median $39,225 ten years after entry, versus $31,902 at Benedict College — a $7,323 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.