TCL vs. Fortis College - Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

Technical College of the Lowcountry is larger than Fortis College - Columbia based on total student enrollment (2,461 students vs. 582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Technical College of the Lowcountry is located in Beaufort, SC (Remote Town setting); Fortis College Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Technical College of the Lowcountry is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Columbia is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Technical College of the Lowcountry 14:1; Fortis College Columbia 29:1.

TCL vs. Fortis College - Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCL 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 Technical College of the Lowcountry than Fortis College - Columbia ($15,776 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fortis College Columbia are 43% lower than at Technical College of the Lowcountry ($13,338 vs. $23,382).
• Fortis College Columbia is 118.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCL (about $8,021 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $6,756.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24% higher at Fortis College - Columbia than at Technical College of the Lowcountry (about $2,861 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $11,916.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Technical College of the Lowcountry than at Fortis College Columbia (94% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis College Columbia students is 53.3% larger than aid received by Technical College of the Lowcountry students ($7,718 vs. $5,033).

TCL vs. Fortis College - Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCL 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 TCL.

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

TCL vs. Fortis College - Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCL 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 Technical College of the Lowcountry earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Fortis College - Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,600 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates have a $5,350 lower median loan debt than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($7,500 vs. $12,850).
• Among borrowers, TCL graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($77 vs. $132).
• More TCL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College - Columbia students, three years after graduation. (35% 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.