Degree Dividend
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Technical College of the Lowcountry vs Benedict College: 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 $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTechnical College of the LowcountryBenedict College
Net price / yr$14,724$18,250
Total net cost$29,448$73,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,090$31,902
Median debt$10,000$32,500
Payback
20-year net return-$294,848-$402,160

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

Which is cheaper, Technical College of the Lowcountry or Benedict College?

Technical College of the Lowcountry, at $14,724 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $3,526 a year, or $43,552 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 Benedict College graduates earn more?

Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates report a median $35,090 ten years after entry, $3,188 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, Technical College of the Lowcountry or Benedict College?

Technical College of the Lowcountry: its completers carry a median $10,000 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $22,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

24% of students finish at Benedict College, against 18% at Technical College of the Lowcountry. 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 Benedict College: frequently asked questions

Is Technical College of the Lowcountry or Benedict College 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 Benedict College?
Technical College of the Lowcountry: $14,724/yr net price after aid versus $18,250/yr at Benedict College — a difference of $3,526 a year, or about $43,552 over four years.
Do Technical College of the Lowcountry or Benedict College graduates earn more?
Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn a median $35,090 ten years after entry, versus $31,902 at Benedict College — a $3,188 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.