OCtech vs. Fortis College - Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is larger than Fortis College - Columbia based on total student enrollment (2,106 students vs. 582 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is located in Orangeburg, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Fortis College Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Orangeburg Calhoun 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: Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College 15:1; Fortis College Columbia 29:1.

OCtech vs. Fortis College - Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, OCtech 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 Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College than Fortis College - Columbia ($6,912 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College are 62.5% lower than at Fortis College Columbia ($5,000 vs. $13,338).
• Fortis College Columbia is 136.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than OCtech (about $8,535 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $6,242.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.9% higher at Fortis College - Columbia than at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College (about $6,423 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $8,354.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College than at Fortis College Columbia (96% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Fortis College Columbia students ($8,072 vs. $7,718).

OCtech vs. Fortis College - Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, OCtech or Fortis College - Columbia? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fortis College - Columbia and OCtech.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: OCtech - Open admission; Fortis College - Columbia - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: OCtech Aug 2, 2027.

OCtech vs. Fortis College - Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for OCtech and Fortis College - Columbia? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Fortis College - Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($28,900 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College graduates have a $3,850 lower median loan debt than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($9,000 vs. $12,850).
• Among borrowers, OCtech graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($93 vs. $132).
• More OCtech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College - Columbia students, three years after graduation. (26% 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.