Degree Dividend
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Piedmont Technical College vs Lander University: which has better ROI?

Public, Greenwood SC · vs · Public, Greenwood SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lander University comes closer — median earnings $42,396 against a $61,452 total, vs $35,768 at Piedmont Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePiedmont Technical CollegeLander University
Net price / yr$11,366$15,363
Total net cost$45,464$61,452
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,768$42,396
Median debt$15,000$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$297,304-$180,732

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

Which is cheaper, Piedmont Technical College or Lander University?

Piedmont Technical College, at $11,366 a year after aid versus $15,363 — a gap of $3,997 a year, or $15,988 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 Lander University graduates earn more?

Lander University graduates report a median $42,396 ten years after entry, $6,628 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 Lander University?

Piedmont Technical College: its completers carry a median $15,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Lander University, a difference of $10,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at Lander 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.

Piedmont Technical College vs Lander University: frequently asked questions

Is Piedmont Technical College or Lander University a better value?
Lander 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, Piedmont Technical College or Lander University?
Piedmont Technical College: $11,366/yr net price after aid versus $15,363/yr at Lander University — a difference of $3,997 a year, or about $15,988 over four years.
Do Piedmont Technical College or Lander University graduates earn more?
Lander University graduates earn a median $42,396 ten years after entry, versus $35,768 at Piedmont Technical College — a $6,628 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.