Degree Dividend
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Technical College of the Lowcountry vs Allen University: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Technical College of the Lowcountry comes closer — median earnings $35,090 against a $29,448 total, vs $30,497 at Allen University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTechnical College of the LowcountryAllen University
Net price / yr$14,724$10,972
Total net cost$29,448$43,888
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,090$30,497
Median debt$10,000$34,290
Payback
20-year net return-$294,848-$401,148

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

Which is cheaper, Technical College of the Lowcountry or Allen University?

Allen University, at $10,972 a year after aid versus $14,724 — a gap of $3,752 a year, or $14,440 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Technical College of the Lowcountry or Allen University graduates earn more?

Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates report a median $35,090 ten years after entry, $4,593 more than the $30,497 at Allen University. 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, Technical College of the Lowcountry or Allen University?

Technical College of the Lowcountry: its completers carry a median $10,000 in federal loans versus $34,290 at Allen University, a difference of $24,290. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

18% of students finish at Technical College of the Lowcountry, against 13% at Allen University. 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.

Technical College of the Lowcountry vs Allen University: frequently asked questions

Is Technical College of the Lowcountry or Allen University a better value?
Technical College of the Lowcountry 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, Technical College of the Lowcountry or Allen University?
Allen University: $10,972/yr net price after aid versus $14,724/yr at Technical College of the Lowcountry — a difference of $3,752 a year, or about $14,440 over four years.
Do Technical College of the Lowcountry or Allen University graduates earn more?
Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn a median $35,090 ten years after entry, versus $30,497 at Allen University — a $4,593 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.