Degree Dividend
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Aiken Technical College vs Spartanburg Methodist College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Spartanburg Methodist College comes closer — median earnings $42,895 against a $29,160 total, vs $39,225 at Aiken Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAiken Technical CollegeSpartanburg Methodist College
Net price / yr$4,807$14,580
Total net cost$9,614$29,160
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,225$42,895
Median debt$12,250$12,000
Payback
20-year net return-$192,314-$138,460

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

Which is cheaper, Aiken Technical College or Spartanburg Methodist College?

Aiken Technical College, at $4,807 a year after aid versus $14,580 — a gap of $9,773 a year, or $19,546 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 Spartanburg Methodist College graduates earn more?

Spartanburg Methodist College graduates report a median $42,895 ten years after entry, $3,670 more than the $39,225 at Aiken Technical 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 Spartanburg Methodist College?

Spartanburg Methodist College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $12,250 at Aiken Technical College, a difference of $250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at Spartanburg Methodist College, against 34% at Aiken Technical 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 Spartanburg Methodist College: frequently asked questions

Is Aiken Technical College or Spartanburg Methodist College a better value?
Spartanburg Methodist 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 Spartanburg Methodist College?
Aiken Technical College: $4,807/yr net price after aid versus $14,580/yr at Spartanburg Methodist College — a difference of $9,773 a year, or about $19,546 over four years.
Do Aiken Technical College or Spartanburg Methodist College graduates earn more?
Spartanburg Methodist College graduates earn a median $42,895 ten years after entry, versus $39,225 at Aiken Technical College — a $3,670 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.