Degree Dividend
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Central Carolina Technical College vs University of South Carolina Beaufort: which has better ROI?

Public, Sumter SC · vs · Public, Bluffton SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of South Carolina Beaufort comes closer — median earnings $48,088 against a $58,624 total, vs $32,603 at Central Carolina Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral Carolina Technical CollegeUniversity of South Carolina Beaufort
Net price / yr$5,571$14,656
Total net cost$22,284$58,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,603$48,088
Median debt$9,977$24,000
Payback
20-year net return-$337,424-$64,064

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

Which is cheaper, Central Carolina Technical College or University of South Carolina Beaufort?

Central Carolina Technical College, at $5,571 a year after aid versus $14,656 — a gap of $9,085 a year, or $36,340 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 University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates earn more?

University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates report a median $48,088 ten years after entry, $15,485 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 University of South Carolina Beaufort?

Central Carolina Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,977 in federal loans versus $24,000 at University of South Carolina Beaufort, a difference of $14,023. 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 34% at University of South Carolina Beaufort. 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 University of South Carolina Beaufort: frequently asked questions

Is Central Carolina Technical College or University of South Carolina Beaufort a better value?
University of South Carolina Beaufort 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 University of South Carolina Beaufort?
Central Carolina Technical College: $5,571/yr net price after aid versus $14,656/yr at University of South Carolina Beaufort — a difference of $9,085 a year, or about $36,340 over four years.
Do Central Carolina Technical College or University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates earn a median $48,088 ten years after entry, versus $32,603 at Central Carolina Technical College — a $15,485 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.