Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Tri-County Technical College vs Anderson University: which has better ROI?

Public, Pendleton SC · vs · Private nonprofit, Anderson SC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Anderson University comes closer — median earnings $42,101 against a $94,176 total, vs $40,101 at Tri-County Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureTri-County Technical CollegeAnderson University
Net price / yr$14,670$23,544
Total net cost$58,680$94,176
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,101$42,101
Median debt$9,000$26,700
Payback
20-year net return-$223,860-$219,356

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

Which is cheaper, Tri-County Technical College or Anderson University?

Tri-County Technical College, at $14,670 a year after aid versus $23,544 — a gap of $8,874 a year, or $35,496 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Tri-County Technical College or Anderson University graduates earn more?

Anderson University graduates report a median $42,101 ten years after entry, $2,000 more than the $40,101 at Tri-County 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, Tri-County Technical College or Anderson University?

Tri-County Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $26,700 at Anderson University, a difference of $17,700. 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 42% at Tri-County 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.

Tri-County Technical College vs Anderson University: frequently asked questions

Is Tri-County Technical College or Anderson University a better value?
Anderson 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, Tri-County Technical College or Anderson University?
Tri-County Technical College: $14,670/yr net price after aid versus $23,544/yr at Anderson University — a difference of $8,874 a year, or about $35,496 over four years.
Do Tri-County Technical College or Anderson University graduates earn more?
Anderson University graduates earn a median $42,101 ten years after entry, versus $40,101 at Tri-County Technical College — a $2,000 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.