Degree Dividend
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Florence-Darlington Technical College vs Benedict College: which has better ROI?

Public, Florence SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbia SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Florence-Darlington Technical College comes closer — median earnings $32,748 against a $8,016 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFlorence-Darlington Technical CollegeBenedict College
Net price / yr$2,004$18,250
Total net cost$8,016$73,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,748$31,902
Median debt$12,250$32,500
Payback
20-year net return-$320,256-$402,160

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

Which is cheaper, Florence-Darlington Technical College or Benedict College?

Florence-Darlington Technical College, at $2,004 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $16,246 a year, or $64,984 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 Benedict College graduates earn more?

Florence-Darlington Technical College graduates report a median $32,748 ten years after entry, $846 more than the $31,902 at Benedict 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 Benedict College?

Florence-Darlington Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,250 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $20,250. 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 Florence-Darlington Technical College, against 24% at Benedict 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.

Florence-Darlington Technical College vs Benedict College: frequently asked questions

Is Florence-Darlington Technical College or Benedict College a better value?
Florence-Darlington Technical College 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, Florence-Darlington Technical College or Benedict College?
Florence-Darlington Technical College: $2,004/yr net price after aid versus $18,250/yr at Benedict College — a difference of $16,246 a year, or about $64,984 over four years.
Do Florence-Darlington Technical College or Benedict College graduates earn more?
Florence-Darlington Technical College graduates earn a median $32,748 ten years after entry, versus $31,902 at Benedict College — a $846 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.