Piedmont Technical College vs Anderson University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anderson University comes closer — median earnings $42,101 against a $94,176 total, vs $35,768 at Piedmont Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Piedmont Technical College | Anderson University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,366 | $23,544 |
| Total net cost | $45,464 | $94,176 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,768 | $42,101 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $26,700 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$297,304 | -$219,356 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Piedmont Technical College or Anderson University?
Piedmont Technical College, at $11,366 a year after aid versus $23,544 — a gap of $12,178 a year, or $48,712 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Piedmont Technical College or Anderson University graduates earn more?
Anderson University graduates report a median $42,101 ten years after entry, $6,333 more than the $35,768 at Piedmont 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, Piedmont Technical College or Anderson University?
Piedmont Technical College: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $26,700 at Anderson University, a difference of $11,700. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Anderson University, against 33% at Piedmont 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.