CCTC vs. Capella University

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter, SC with Capella University in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Capella University is larger than CCTC based on total student enrollment (47,761 students vs. 2,825 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Carolina Technical College is located in Sumter, SC (Small City setting); Capella University is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Central Carolina Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Capella University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Carolina Technical College 16:1; Capella University 41:1.

CCTC vs. Capella University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCTC or Capella University? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Central Carolina Technical College than Capella University ($5,685 vs. $17,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capella University are 4.2% lower than at Central Carolina Technical College ($7,350 vs. $7,676).
• Capella University is 118.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CCTC (about $7,806 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $6,594.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.7% higher at Capella University than at Central Carolina Technical College (about $5,384 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $9,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Carolina Technical College than at Capella University (95% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Carolina Technical College students is 38% larger than aid received by Capella University students ($7,757 vs. $5,621).

CCTC vs. Capella University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCTC or Capella University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Capella University and CCTC.

• Central Carolina Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCTC - Open admission; Capella University - Not reported.

CCTC vs. Capella University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCTC and Capella University? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Capella University earn a median of about $42,000 more per year than CCTC graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $28,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Carolina Technical College graduates have a $19,516 lower median loan debt than Capella University graduates ($8,540 vs. $28,056).
• Among borrowers, CCTC graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Capella University graduates ($88 vs. $290).
• More Capella University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCTC students, three years after graduation. (28% vs. 24%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.