TCL vs. University of South Carolina-Sumter

Comparable Facts

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

Technical College of the Lowcountry is larger than University of South Carolina-Sumter based on total student enrollment (2,461 students vs. 1,845 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 Sumter is in Sumter, SC (Small City setting).
• Technical College of the Lowcountry is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of South Carolina Sumter is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Technical College of the Lowcountry 14:1; University of South Carolina Sumter 18:1.

TCL vs. University of South Carolina-Sumter Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCL or University of South Carolina-Sumter? 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 Sumter than TCL ($8,903 vs. $15,776).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Sumter are 71.3% lower than at Technical College of the Lowcountry ($6,708 vs. $23,382).
• University of South Carolina Sumter 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-Sumter 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 University of South Carolina Sumter than at Technical College of the Lowcountry (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Carolina Sumter students is 67.5% larger than aid received by Technical College of the Lowcountry students ($8,431 vs. $5,033).

TCL vs. University of South Carolina-Sumter Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCL or University of South Carolina-Sumter? 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-Sumter 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 Sumter 895/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Carolina Sumter 16/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TCL - Open admission; University of South Carolina-Sumter - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of South Carolina-Sumter Aug 8, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for TCL and University of South Carolina-Sumter? 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 Sumter earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than TCL graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than University of South Carolina-Sumter graduates ($7,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, TCL graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of South Carolina-Sumter graduates ($77 vs. $108).
• More University of South Carolina-Sumter graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCL students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.