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Central Carolina Technical College vs Technical College of the Lowcountry: which has better ROI?

Public, Sumter SC · vs · Public, Beaufort SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Technical College of the Lowcountry comes closer — median earnings $35,090 against a $29,448 total, vs $32,603 at Central Carolina Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral Carolina Technical CollegeTechnical College of the Lowcountry
Net price / yr$5,571$14,724
Total net cost$22,284$29,448
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,603$35,090
Median debt$9,977$10,000
Payback
20-year net return-$337,424-$294,848

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

Which is cheaper, Central Carolina Technical College or Technical College of the Lowcountry?

Central Carolina Technical College, at $5,571 a year after aid versus $14,724 — a gap of $9,153 a year, or $7,164 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Central Carolina Technical College or Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn more?

Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates report a median $35,090 ten years after entry, $2,487 more than the $32,603 at Central Carolina 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, Central Carolina Technical College or Technical College of the Lowcountry?

Central Carolina Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,977 in federal loans versus $10,000 at Technical College of the Lowcountry, a difference of $23. 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 Central Carolina 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.

Central Carolina Technical College vs Technical College of the Lowcountry: frequently asked questions

Is Central Carolina Technical College or Technical College of the Lowcountry a better value?
Technical College of the Lowcountry 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, Central Carolina Technical College or Technical College of the Lowcountry?
Central Carolina Technical College: $5,571/yr net price after aid versus $14,724/yr at Technical College of the Lowcountry — a difference of $9,153 a year, or about $7,164 over four years.
Do Central Carolina Technical College or Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn more?
Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn a median $35,090 ten years after entry, versus $32,603 at Central Carolina Technical College — a $2,487 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.