University of South Carolina-Union vs. Trident Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of South Carolina Union in Union, 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 University of South Carolina-Union based on total student enrollment (13,552 students vs. 1,402 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of South Carolina Union is located in Union, SC (Distant Town setting); Trident Technical College is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• University of South Carolina Union is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Trident Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of South Carolina Union 17:1; Trident Technical College 21:1.

University of South Carolina-Union vs. Trident Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of South Carolina-Union 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 University of South Carolina-Union ($1,818 vs. $10,359).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Carolina Union are 30.1% lower than at Trident Technical College ($6,708 vs. $9,600).
• University of South Carolina Union is 49.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Trident Technical College (about $2,508 more per year; $7,558.00 vs. $5,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.6% higher at University of South Carolina-Union than at Trident Technical College (about $9,618 more per year; $18,238.00 vs. $8,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Carolina Union than at Trident Technical College (100% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trident Technical College students is 27.8% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Union students ($10,831 vs. $8,477).

University of South Carolina-Union vs. Trident Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of South Carolina-Union 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 University of South Carolina-Union.

• Trident Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Union 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of South Carolina Union 15/18.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of South Carolina-Union - Test-free; Trident Technical College - Open admission.
• Accepted freshman Trident Technical College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at University of South Carolina-Union (3.3).

University of South Carolina-Union vs. Trident Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of South Carolina-Union 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 University of South Carolina Union earn a median of about $600 more per year than Trident Technical College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,500 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Union graduates have a $3,647 lower median loan debt than Trident Technical College graduates ($12,125 vs. $15,772).
• Among borrowers, University of South Carolina-Union graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Trident Technical College graduates ($125 vs. $163).
• More Trident Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of South Carolina-Union students, three years after graduation. (30% 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.