SMC vs. Trident Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, SC with Trident Technical College in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Trident Technical College is larger than SMC based on total student enrollment (13,552 students vs. 1,119 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spartanburg Methodist College is located in Spartanburg, SC (Midsize Suburban setting); Trident Technical College is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Spartanburg Methodist College is a private, non-profit 2-year institution. Trident Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spartanburg Methodist College 16:1; Trident Technical College 21:1.

SMC vs. Trident Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SMC or Trident Technical College? 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 Trident Technical College than SMC ($1,818 vs. $14,799).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trident Technical College are 14% lower than at Spartanburg Methodist College ($9,600 vs. $11,160).
• Spartanburg Methodist College is 308.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trident Technical College (about $15,600 more per year; $20,650.00 vs. $5,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139.6% higher at SMC than at Trident Technical College (about $12,030 more per year; $20,650.00 vs. $8,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Spartanburg Methodist College than at Trident Technical College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Spartanburg Methodist College students is 60% larger than aid received by Trident Technical College students ($17,334 vs. $10,831).

SMC vs. Trident Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SMC or Trident Technical College? 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 Trident Technical College and SMC.

• Trident Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SMC - Test-free; Trident Technical College - Open admission.

SMC vs. Trident Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SMC and Trident Technical College? 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 Spartanburg Methodist College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Trident Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,400 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Spartanburg Methodist College graduates have a $3,772 lower median loan debt than Trident Technical College graduates ($12,000 vs. $15,772).
• Among borrowers, SMC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trident Technical College graduates ($124 vs. $163).
• More SMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Trident Technical College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 30%)

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.