Anderson University vs Florence-Darlington Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anderson University comes closer — median earnings $42,101 against a $94,176 total, vs $32,748 at Florence-Darlington Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Anderson University | Florence-Darlington Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,544 | $2,004 |
| Total net cost | $94,176 | $8,016 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,101 | $32,748 |
| Median debt | $26,700 | $12,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$219,356 | -$320,256 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Anderson University or Florence-Darlington Technical College?
Florence-Darlington Technical College, at $2,004 a year after aid versus $23,544 — a gap of $21,540 a year, or $86,160 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Anderson University or Florence-Darlington Technical College graduates earn more?
Anderson University graduates report a median $42,101 ten years after entry, $9,353 more than the $32,748 at Florence-Darlington 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, Anderson University or Florence-Darlington Technical College?
Florence-Darlington Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,250 in federal loans versus $26,700 at Anderson University, a difference of $14,450. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Anderson University, against 34% at Florence-Darlington 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.