Degree Dividend
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Anderson University vs Technical College of the Lowcountry: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Anderson SC · vs · Public, Beaufort SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anderson University comes closer — median earnings $42,101 against a $94,176 total, vs $35,090 at Technical College of the Lowcountry. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAnderson UniversityTechnical College of the Lowcountry
Net price / yr$23,544$14,724
Total net cost$94,176$29,448
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,101$35,090
Median debt$26,700$10,000
Payback
20-year net return-$219,356-$294,848

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

Which is cheaper, Anderson University or Technical College of the Lowcountry?

Technical College of the Lowcountry, at $14,724 a year after aid versus $23,544 — a gap of $8,820 a year, or $64,728 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 Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn more?

Anderson University graduates report a median $42,101 ten years after entry, $7,011 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, Anderson University or Technical College of the Lowcountry?

Technical College of the Lowcountry: its completers carry a median $10,000 in federal loans versus $26,700 at Anderson University, a difference of $16,700. 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 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.

Anderson University vs Technical College of the Lowcountry: frequently asked questions

Is Anderson University or Technical College of the Lowcountry a better value?
Anderson University 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, Anderson University or Technical College of the Lowcountry?
Technical College of the Lowcountry: $14,724/yr net price after aid versus $23,544/yr at Anderson University — a difference of $8,820 a year, or about $64,728 over four years.
Do Anderson University or Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn more?
Anderson University graduates earn a median $42,101 ten years after entry, versus $35,090 at Technical College of the Lowcountry — a $7,011 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.