Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) vs Tompkins Cortland Community College

Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Tri-County Technical College, located in Pendleton, South Carolina, boasts an acceptance rate of 100%, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. With a focus on career-oriented programs, it excels in fields like Business, Healthcare, and Industrial Technology. Tompkins Cortland Community College, situated in Dryden, New York, maintains a slightly higher acceptance rate of 100% and is renowned for its strong Liberal Arts and Sciences programs. Its student body reflects a rich cultural tapestry, fostering an inclusive learning environment. While Tri-County Technical College's graduation rate stands at 33%, Tompkins Cortland Community College's is slightly higher at 35%. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and goals.

	Tompkins Cortland Community College	Tri-County Technical College
Overview
Location	Dryden, New York	Pendleton, South Carolina
Campus setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Large
College type	2 year	2 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	48.0%	30.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	Open Admission
Application fees		$30
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $21,577 Out of state: $27,232	In state: $19,985 Out of state: $24,459
Average net price	$11,089	$8,121
Tuition	In state: $5,355 Out of state: $11,010	In state: $5,648 Out of state: $10,112
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,400 Meal plan: $2,652
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	72.0% Average amount $6,626	95.0% Average amount $7,786
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $6,230	20.0% Average amount $5,070
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $9,847	4.0% Average amount $12,973

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	4,563 Men 41.8% Women 58.2%	5,617 Men 46.2% Women 53.8%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	3.0%	12.0%
International students	0.5%	N/A
Campus local/setting	Town: Fringe	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	816	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	New York New Jersey Mississippi Florida Hawaii	South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Business Health Professions Public Administration and Social Service Law Enforcement and Firefighting	Liberal Arts Health Professions Automotive Technology Engineering Technologies Business
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	23.0%	36.2%
Dropout rate	51.2%	26.4%
Transferred out	21.7%	31.9%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $60,003 Year 2: $55,594 Year 3: $61,665 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $25,539 Year 2: $20,687 Year 3: $34,246 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $21,293 Year 2: $21,964 Year 3: $30,899 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $21,922 Year 2: $21,508 Year 3: $28,800 Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $17,014 Year 3: N/A	Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $54,890 Year 2: $60,049 Year 3: $64,792 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $55,523 Year 2: $55,693 Year 3: $59,913 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $46,789 Year 2: $44,595 Year 3: $45,968 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $38,567 Year 2: $34,704 Year 3: $39,069 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $32,874 Year 2: $35,594 Year 3: $38,103 Data Processing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $26,996 Year 2: $33,637 Year 3: $37,762 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $37,123 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $27,930 Year 2: $30,305 Year 3: $33,893 Accounting and Related Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,236 Year 3: $30,565 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $28,943 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $29,145

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College?

Tri-County Technical College (TCTC) in South Carolina focuses primarily on technical and career-oriented programs, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce. Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) in New York offers a broader range of programs, including liberal arts and sciences, with a strong emphasis on transfer pathways to four-year universities. TCTC is generally considered to have a more localized service area, while TC3 draws students from a wider geographic region.
Which college is larger, Tri-County Technical College or Tompkins Cortland Community College?

Tompkins Cortland Community College generally has a larger student body compared to Tri-County Technical College. While enrollment numbers can fluctuate, TC3 typically enrolls several thousand students, whereas TCTC's enrollment is often slightly smaller.
What types of programs are Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College known for?

Tri-County Technical College is well-regarded for its programs in manufacturing, engineering technology, healthcare, and business technologies. Tompkins Cortland Community College is known for its culinary arts, hospitality management, business administration, and liberal arts programs designed for transfer to four-year institutions.
How do the tuition costs compare between Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College?

Tuition costs vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state) and the specific program. Generally, community colleges like TCTC and TC3 offer lower tuition rates compared to four-year universities. It's best to check the official websites of both colleges for the most up-to-date tuition and fees information, as well as any available financial aid or scholarship opportunities.
What is the campus environment like at Tri-County Technical College versus Tompkins Cortland Community College?

Tri-County Technical College has a more focused, career-oriented campus environment with a strong connection to local industries. Tompkins Cortland Community College offers a more traditional college campus experience with a wider range of student activities, clubs, and organizations, reflecting its broader academic focus and larger student population. TC3 also has on-campus housing, which TCTC does not offer.
Which college is better for students planning to transfer to a four-year university?

Tompkins Cortland Community College is generally considered a stronger choice for students planning to transfer to a four-year university. TC3 has established articulation agreements with numerous four-year institutions, making the transfer process smoother. While Tri-County Technical College also offers transfer options, its primary focus is on preparing students for direct entry into the workforce.
Do Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College offer online courses?

Yes, both Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College offer a variety of online courses. The availability of specific programs online may vary, so it's recommended to check each college's website for their current online course offerings.
What kind of student support services are available at Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College?

Both colleges offer a range of student support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career counseling, disability services, and library resources. Tompkins Cortland Community College, with its larger size, may offer a more extensive range of services, including mental health counseling and health services. Tri-County Technical College focuses on providing support services tailored to career development and job placement.
How do the locations of Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College impact the student experience?

Tri-County Technical College is located in Pendleton, South Carolina, offering a more suburban setting with access to the growing Upstate region. Tompkins Cortland Community College is located in Dryden, New York, providing a more rural campus environment near Ithaca and the Finger Lakes region. The location influences internship opportunities, cultural experiences, and the overall lifestyle available to students.
Are there specific industries that Tri-County Technical College and Tompkins Cortland Community College are closely affiliated with?

Tri-County Technical College has strong ties to the manufacturing, automotive, and healthcare industries in the Upstate of South Carolina. Tompkins Cortland Community College has close relationships with the hospitality, culinary arts, and tourism sectors in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

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