TCL vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Carolina Lancaster is larger than TCL based on total student enrollment (2,687 students vs. 2,461 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Technical College of the Lowcountry is located in Beaufort, SC (Remote Town setting); University of South Carolina Lancaster is in Lancaster, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Technical College of the Lowcountry is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of South Carolina Lancaster is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Technical College of the Lowcountry 14:1; University of South Carolina Lancaster 24:1.

TCL vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCL or University of South Carolina-Lancaster? 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 University of South Carolina Lancaster than TCL ($11,257 vs. $15,776).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Lancaster are 71.3% lower than at Technical College of the Lowcountry ($6,708 vs. $23,382).
• University of South Carolina Lancaster is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCL (about $802 more per year; $7,558.00 vs. $6,756.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.1% higher at University of South Carolina-Lancaster than at Technical College of the Lowcountry (about $6,322 more per year; $18,238.00 vs. $11,916.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Technical College of the Lowcountry than at University of South Carolina Lancaster (94% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Lancaster students is 43.9% larger than aid received by Technical College of the Lowcountry students ($7,245 vs. $5,033).

TCL vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCL or University of South Carolina-Lancaster? 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 University of South Carolina-Lancaster and TCL.

• Technical College of the Lowcountry reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Carolina Lancaster 910/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Carolina Lancaster 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCL - Open admission; University of South Carolina-Lancaster - Test-free.

TCL vs. University of South Carolina-Lancaster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCL and University of South Carolina-Lancaster? 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 University of South Carolina Lancaster earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than TCL graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates have a $15,750 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($7,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, TCL graduates have an estimated $163 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates ($77 vs. $240).
• More University of South Carolina-Lancaster graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCL students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 35%)

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.