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Trident Technical College vs Benedict College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Trident Technical College comes closer — median earnings $38,253 against a $2,812 total, vs $31,902 at Benedict College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureTrident Technical CollegeBenedict College
Net price / yr$1,406$18,250
Total net cost$2,812$73,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,253$31,902
Median debt$13,029$32,500
Payback
20-year net return-$204,952-$402,160

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

Which is cheaper, Trident Technical College or Benedict College?

Trident Technical College, at $1,406 a year after aid versus $18,250 — a gap of $16,844 a year, or $70,188 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Trident Technical College or Benedict College graduates earn more?

Trident Technical College graduates report a median $38,253 ten years after entry, $6,351 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, Trident Technical College or Benedict College?

Trident Technical College: its completers carry a median $13,029 in federal loans versus $32,500 at Benedict College, a difference of $19,471. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

30% of students finish at Trident Technical College, against 24% at Benedict 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.

Trident Technical College vs Benedict College: frequently asked questions

Is Trident Technical College or Benedict College a better value?
Trident Technical College 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, Trident Technical College or Benedict College?
Trident Technical College: $1,406/yr net price after aid versus $18,250/yr at Benedict College — a difference of $16,844 a year, or about $70,188 over four years.
Do Trident Technical College or Benedict College graduates earn more?
Trident Technical College graduates earn a median $38,253 ten years after entry, versus $31,902 at Benedict College — a $6,351 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.