Florence-Darlington Technical College vs Aiken Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aiken Technical College comes closer — median earnings $39,225 against a $9,614 total, vs $32,748 at Florence-Darlington Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Florence-Darlington Technical College | Aiken Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $2,004 | $4,807 |
| Total net cost | $8,016 | $9,614 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,748 | $39,225 |
| Median debt | $12,250 | $12,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$320,256 | -$192,314 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Florence-Darlington Technical College or Aiken Technical College?
Florence-Darlington Technical College, at $2,004 a year after aid versus $4,807 — a gap of $2,803 a year, or $1,598 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Florence-Darlington Technical College or Aiken Technical College graduates earn more?
Aiken Technical College graduates report a median $39,225 ten years after entry, $6,477 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, Florence-Darlington Technical College or Aiken Technical College?
Completers at both borrow a median $12,250, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Florence-Darlington Technical College, against 34% at Aiken 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.