Degree Dividend
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Coastal Carolina University vs Central Carolina Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Conway SC · vs · Public, Sumter SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Coastal Carolina University comes closer — median earnings $47,258 against a $55,864 total, vs $32,603 at Central Carolina Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCoastal Carolina UniversityCentral Carolina Technical College
Net price / yr$13,966$5,571
Total net cost$55,864$22,284
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,258$32,603
Median debt$23,750$9,977
Payback
20-year net return-$77,904-$337,424

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

Which is cheaper, Coastal Carolina University or Central Carolina Technical College?

Central Carolina Technical College, at $5,571 a year after aid versus $13,966 — a gap of $8,395 a year, or $33,580 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Coastal Carolina University or Central Carolina Technical College graduates earn more?

Coastal Carolina University graduates report a median $47,258 ten years after entry, $14,655 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, Coastal Carolina University or Central Carolina Technical College?

Central Carolina Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,977 in federal loans versus $23,750 at Coastal Carolina University, a difference of $13,773. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

48% of students finish at Coastal Carolina University, against 34% at Central Carolina 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.

Coastal Carolina University vs Central Carolina Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Coastal Carolina University or Central Carolina Technical College a better value?
Coastal Carolina 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, Coastal Carolina University or Central Carolina Technical College?
Central Carolina Technical College: $5,571/yr net price after aid versus $13,966/yr at Coastal Carolina University — a difference of $8,395 a year, or about $33,580 over four years.
Do Coastal Carolina University or Central Carolina Technical College graduates earn more?
Coastal Carolina University graduates earn a median $47,258 ten years after entry, versus $32,603 at Central Carolina Technical College — a $14,655 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.