Head-to-head · 2026
Aiken Technical College vs Francis Marion University
Compare average net price ($4,807 at Aiken Technical College; $11,386 at Francis Marion University), ROI score (20.40 vs 9.64), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,225 vs $43,888), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Aiken Technical College; 86.4% at Francis Marion University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Aiken Technical College | Francis Marion University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 20.40 ✓ | 9.64 |
| Avg net price | $4,807 ✓ | $11,386 |
| 4-year avg net price | $19,228 ✓ | $45,544 |
| In-state tuition | $5,174 | $11,160 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,924 | $21,544 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,225 | $43,888 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 86.4% |
| Graduation rate | 33.5% | 43.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 53.2% | 70% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,250 ✓ | $27,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,925 | 2,628 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1015 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Aiken Technical College | Francis Marion University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,566 ✓ | $9,723 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,659 ✓ | $9,449 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,048 ✓ | $11,582 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,207 ✓ | $13,788 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,230 ✓ | $17,435 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Aiken Technical College | Francis Marion University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 14.9% | 15.6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 24.3% | 1.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.9% | 8% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2.1% | 6.2% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.9% | 1.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Aiken Technical College reports the lower average net price by $6,579 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $26,316 difference over four years ($19,228 vs $45,544).
Francis Marion University reports $4,663 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($43,888 vs $39,225). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 53.2% at Aiken Technical College and 70% at Francis Marion University. Median federal debt among completers is $12,250 vs $27,000, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Aiken Technical College vs Francis Marion University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Aiken Technical College is cheaper — average net price $4,807 per year vs $11,386 at Francis Marion University. The annual difference of $6,579 adds up to about $26,316 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Francis Marion University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $43,888 vs $39,225 at Aiken Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $4,663. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.