Head-to-head · 2026
Francis Marion University vs Trident Technical College
Compare average net price ($11,386 at Francis Marion University; $1,406 at Trident Technical College), ROI score (9.64 vs 68.02), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,888 vs $38,253), and admissions context (86.4% at Francis Marion University; Open / not reported at Trident Technical College) 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 | Francis Marion University | Trident Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.64 | 68.02 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,386 | $1,406 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $45,544 | $5,624 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $11,160 | $4,546 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,544 | $8,620 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,888 ✓ | $38,253 |
| Acceptance rate | 86.4% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 43.4% ✓ | 29.6% |
| Retention rate | 70% ✓ | 59.2% |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $13,029 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,628 | 10,512 |
| 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 | Francis Marion University | Trident Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,723 | $1,057 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $9,449 | $516 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,582 | $1,141 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,788 | $2,174 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,435 | $6,542 ✓ |
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 | Francis Marion University | Trident Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 15.6% | 6.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.7% | 20% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8% | 1.9% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 6.2% | 0.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.1% | 2.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Trident Technical College reports the lower average net price by $9,980 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $39,920 difference over four years ($5,624 vs $45,544).
Francis Marion University reports $5,635 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($43,888 vs $38,253). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70% at Francis Marion University and 59.2% at Trident Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $27,000 vs $13,029, 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Francis Marion University vs Trident Technical College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Trident Technical College is cheaper — average net price $1,406 per year vs $11,386 at Francis Marion University. The annual difference of $9,980 adds up to about $39,920 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Francis Marion University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $43,888 vs $38,253 at Trident Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $5,635. 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.