Bellevue College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Bellevue College charges a net price of $11,430/yr after aid — a 2-year total of $22,860. Graduates earn a median $56,310 ten years after entry, $7,950/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.9 years — a 20-year net return of $136,140, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Bellevue College's 2.9-year payback ranks #159 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 88% of them, and #4 of 64 in Washington.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $11,430/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (2 yrs) | $22,860 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $56,310 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $7,950/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $12,375 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $136,140 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Bellevue College's own numbers. Net price $11,430 × 2 years = $22,860 total. Median earnings $56,310 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $7,950 a year of premium. $22,860 ÷ $7,950 = 2.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $136,140. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Bellevue College students graduate with?
A median $12,375 in federal loans among completers, or 22% of the $56,310 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Bellevue College students graduate?
36% finish their degree — 64% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $22,860 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $63,500 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Bellevue College expensive compared with other Washington colleges?
Its $11,430 net price runs $597 below the $12,027 median across the 64 Washington colleges we profile, and $1,193 less across the full degree.