Aiken Technical College vs Technical College of the Lowcountry: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aiken Technical College comes closer — median earnings $39,225 against a $9,614 total, vs $35,090 at Technical College of the Lowcountry. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aiken Technical College | Technical College of the Lowcountry |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,807 | $14,724 |
| Total net cost | $9,614 | $29,448 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,225 | $35,090 |
| Median debt | $12,250 | $10,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$192,314 | -$294,848 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aiken Technical College or Technical College of the Lowcountry?
Aiken Technical College, at $4,807 a year after aid versus $14,724 — a gap of $9,917 a year, or $19,834 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 Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn more?
Aiken Technical College graduates report a median $39,225 ten years after entry, $4,135 more than the $35,090 at Technical College of the Lowcountry. 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 Technical College of the Lowcountry?
Technical College of the Lowcountry: its completers carry a median $10,000 in federal loans versus $12,250 at Aiken Technical College, a difference of $2,250. 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 18% at Technical College of the Lowcountry. 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.