TCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

Tri County Technical College is larger than Fortis College - Columbia based on total student enrollment (5,890 students vs. 582 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tri County Technical College is located in Pendleton, SC (Rural Fringe setting); Fortis College Columbia is in Columbia, SC (Midsize City setting).
• Tri County 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: Tri County Technical College 20:1; Fortis College Columbia 29:1.

TCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TCTC 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 Tri County Technical College than Fortis College - Columbia ($16,927 vs. $20,510).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fortis College Columbia are 43.2% lower than at Tri County Technical College ($13,338 vs. $23,472).
• Fortis College Columbia is 145% more expensive for in-state tuition than TCTC (about $8,746 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $6,031.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.1% higher at Fortis College - Columbia than at Tri County Technical College (about $2,962 more per year; $14,777.00 vs. $11,815.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tri County Technical College than at Fortis College Columbia (91% vs. 90%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tri County Technical College students is 5% larger than aid received by Fortis College Columbia students ($8,105 vs. $7,718).

TCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TCTC 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 TCTC.

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

TCTC vs. Fortis College - Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TCTC 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 Tri County Technical College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than Fortis College - Columbia graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,400 vs. $27,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tri County Technical College graduates have a $5,225 lower median loan debt than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($7,625 vs. $12,850).
• Among borrowers, TCTC graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College - Columbia graduates ($78 vs. $132).
• More TCTC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College - Columbia students, three years after graduation. (43% 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.