At $5,903/yr net price, Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates earn $35,090/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,090/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,903 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,612 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,090/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,090/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 21.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 12.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,787/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,585/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,267/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,822 | $9,666 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $40,551 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $32,569 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $28,960 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $28,236 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,508 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $21,508 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $19,455 |
The Risk Factor
12.1% of students at Technical College of the Lowcountry graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Technical College of the Lowcountry gives you a low-cost entry point with a steep completion risk. At under $6,000 a year and $10,000 in median debt, the price is manageable. But a 12.1% graduation rate means most people who start here do not finish, and the debt only pays off if you walk out with a credential.
Your major decides everything here. The nursing associate degree is the clear winner, with graduates out-earning the school's median by roughly $18,000 and carrying under $10,000 in debt. The allied health and medical assisting associate programs also land solidly above the school median. Business operations support sits near the bottom and barely clears the school-wide earnings figure, so treat it as a stepping stone rather than a destination. Note that the allied health certificate pays about $10,000 less per year than the allied health associate degree, so the extra time in a degree program is worth it.
The main financial risk is not debt, it's dropping out. Borrow money, leave without a credential, and you get the loan payments with none of the nursing or allied health salary bump. Choose a program with a clear career payoff before you enroll.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay well under $7,000 a year. Between $48,000 and $75,000, the price nearly doubles to over $11,000, which changes the math on how fast you need to finish.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or allied health associate degree and can commit to finishing. If you're unsure of your path or drawn to the business support track, the completion odds and lower earnings make a stronger program worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Technical College of the Lowcountry worth the cost?
Technical College of the Lowcountry offers decent value if you complete a nursing program, with graduates earning around $53,000 annually. However, the 12% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making it risky for many.
What programs at Technical College of the Lowcountry have the best ROI?
Nursing programs provide the strongest returns at Technical College of the Lowcountry, with graduates earning $53,000 per year. Other allied health programs pay around $33,000-$43,000, while business support roles average $29,000.
How much debt do Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates have?
Technical College of the Lowcountry graduates typically have $10,000 in debt, which is manageable for nursing graduates but harder to repay on the $35,000 average salary across all programs.
What is the graduation rate at Technical College of the Lowcountry?
Only 12% of students graduate from Technical College of the Lowcountry. This extremely low completion rate means most students leave without a degree and may still carry debt from their time there.