CCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

Central Carolina Technical College is larger than Fortis College - Columbia based on total student enrollment (2,825 students vs. 582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Carolina Technical College is located in Sumter, SC (Small City setting); Fortis College Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Central Carolina Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Columbia is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Carolina Technical College 16:1; Fortis College Columbia 29:1.

CCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CCTC or Fortis College - Columbia? 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 Fortis College - Columbia ($5,685 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Carolina Technical College are 42.5% lower than at Fortis College Columbia ($7,676 vs. $13,338).
• Fortis College Columbia is 124.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CCTC (about $8,183 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $6,594.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.9% higher at Fortis College - Columbia than at Central Carolina Technical College (about $5,761 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $9,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Carolina Technical College than at Fortis College Columbia (95% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Carolina Technical College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Fortis College Columbia students ($7,757 vs. $7,718).

CCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CCTC or Fortis College - Columbia? 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 Fortis College - Columbia and CCTC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CCTC - Open admission; Fortis College - Columbia - Open admission.

CCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CCTC and Fortis College - Columbia? 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 Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Fortis College - Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($28,400 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Carolina Technical College graduates have a $4,310 lower median loan debt than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($8,540 vs. $12,850).
• Among borrowers, CCTC graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($88 vs. $132).
• More CCTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College - Columbia students, three years after graduation. (24% vs. 22%)

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.