Florence-Darlington Technical College vs Francis Marion University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Francis Marion University comes closer — median earnings $43,888 against a $45,544 total, vs $32,748 at Florence-Darlington Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Florence-Darlington Technical College | Francis Marion University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $2,004 | $11,386 |
| Total net cost | $8,016 | $45,544 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,748 | $43,888 |
| Median debt | $12,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$320,256 | -$134,984 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Florence-Darlington Technical College or Francis Marion University?
Florence-Darlington Technical College, at $2,004 a year after aid versus $11,386 — a gap of $9,382 a year, or $37,528 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 Francis Marion University graduates earn more?
Francis Marion University graduates report a median $43,888 ten years after entry, $11,140 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 Francis Marion University?
Florence-Darlington Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Francis Marion University, a difference of $14,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Francis Marion University, against 34% at Florence-Darlington 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.