Head-to-head comparison
University of South Carolina-Columbia vs Trident Technical College: which has better ROI?
Option A Columbia, SC
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Net price / year
- $22,811
- Earnings, 10 years
- $62,177
- Payback
- 6.6 yrs
Option B Charleston, SC
Trident Technical College
- Net price / year
- $1,406
- Earnings, 10 years
- $38,253
- Payback
- No payback
University of South Carolina-Columbia has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $91,244 in 6.6 years versus not at all at Trident Technical College, on median earnings of $62,177 vs $38,253 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Trident Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,811 | $1,406 |
| Total net cost | $91,244 | $2,812 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,177 | $38,253 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $13,029 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $185,096 | -$204,952 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Trident Technical College?
Trident Technical College, at $1,406 a year after aid versus $22,811 — a gap of $21,405 a year, or $88,432 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of South Carolina-Columbia or Trident Technical College graduates earn more?
University of South Carolina-Columbia graduates report a median $62,177 ten years after entry, $23,924 more than the $38,253 at Trident Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of South Carolina-Columbia or Trident Technical College?
Trident Technical College: its completers carry a median $13,029 in federal loans versus $21,500 at University of South Carolina-Columbia, a difference of $8,471. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at University of South Carolina-Columbia, against 30% at Trident Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.