Florence-Darlington Technical College
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 27% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $32,748 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $2,004 A+
- 88% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,055
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 103.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $103.7 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable Colleges in South Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $103.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $822,988.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 20% below the national college median.
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Graduation of 27% — 53% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $103.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Florence-Darlington Technical College
Florence-Darlington Technical College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 3,055
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Precision Production, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Florence-Darlington Technical College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $2,004 a year after grants and scholarships — 88% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $32,748 ten years after enrolling — 20% below the typical college, against $12,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.50 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 3,055 students, Florence-Darlington Technical College serves those looking for practical skills and training in fields like Health Professions, Mechanic & Repair Tech, and Business & Marketing. This college is a great fit for individuals who want to jump straight into the workforce with hands-on experience. A graduation rate of 27% might seem low, but for many students, the focus is on gaining skills quickly rather than on a traditional four-year degree.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $32,748 within ten years of completing their programs. This figure reflects the college's strong emphasis on career readiness, especially in technical and health-related fields. With nearly half of the student body receiving Pell Grants, affordability is a key aspect here. Students can graduate with a median debt of $12,250, which is relatively manageable given the earning potential.
When it comes to the financial side of attending Florence-Darlington, the net price after aid is about $2,004. This low cost makes it accessible for many, especially those who might be concerned about accumulating debt. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a more focused, hands-on approach to education and are eager to enter the workforce quickly.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Florence-Darlington Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Florence-Darlington Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Florence, South Carolina, Florence-Darlington Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
- Retention Rate
- 58%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,458
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Florence-Darlington Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Florence-Darlington Technical College is $6,772, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $2,004. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,589 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,636
- Out-of-State
- $6,772
- Avg Net Price
- $2,004
- Median Debt
- $12,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 47%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 11%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $1,589
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $1,913
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $2,414
- Family Income $110K+
- $6,708
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Florence-Darlington Technical College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Florence-Darlington Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Florence-Darlington Technical College report median earnings of $32,748, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,042
- 8 Years
- $28,766
- 10 Years
- $32,748
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 40%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (54)
- 9%
- 100% (54)
- 9%
- 100% (54)
- 9%
- 100% (54)
- 9%
How Florence-Darlington Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Florence-Darlington Technical College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Florence-Darlington Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $2,004/year ($8,016 total). Graduates earn $32,748 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $831,004 in total earnings — a net gain of $822,988 (103.7× your investment). The median debt is $12,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 27% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $8,016
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $831,004
- Net Return
- $822,988
- ROI Multiple
- 103.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $2,004
- Median Debt
- $12,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,997,265
- Federal Grants
- $1,804,260
- Investment Income
- $93,435
Top Programs
The fields Florence-Darlington Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 23% $62,285 early-career
- Precision Production 16% $35,558 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 16% $42,718 early-career
- Business & Marketing 10% $28,100 early-career
- Humanities 10%
- Computer Science & IT 6% $36,132 early-career
- Criminal Justice 3% $37,842 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 2%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Florence-Darlington Technical College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Florence-Darlington Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Florence, South Carolina, Florence-Darlington Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Florence-Darlington Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Florence-Darlington Technical College is $6,772, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $2,004. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $1,589 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,250 in federal student loans.
Is Florence-Darlington Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Florence-Darlington Technical College report median earnings of $32,748, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Florence-Darlington Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Florence-Darlington Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Florence-Darlington Technical College.
- George C Wallace Community College-DothanDothan, AL · Close peer31% grad $31,399 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Gadsden State Community CollegeGadsden, AL · Close peer35% grad $32,937 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Wayne Community CollegeGoldsboro, NC · Close peer53% grad $34,148 earnWhy: similar earnings
- Columbus Technical CollegeColumbus, GA · Close peer24% grad $34,238 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Southern Regional Technical CollegeThomasville, GA · Close peer33% grad $31,293 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland, IL · Close peer26% grad $33,680 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Florence-Darlington Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Florence-Darlington Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.50, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 2% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note