Lewis & Clark College — ROI, Cost & Payback
Lewis & Clark College charges a net price of $36,013/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $144,052. Graduates earn a median $62,205 ten years after entry, $13,845/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 10.4 years — a 20-year net return of $132,848, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Lewis & Clark College's 10.4-year payback ranks #806 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 37% of them, and #9 of 38 in Oregon.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $36,013/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $144,052 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $62,205 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $13,845/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 10.4 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $132,848 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Lewis & Clark College's own numbers. Net price $36,013 × 4 years = $144,052 total. Median earnings $62,205 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $13,845 a year of premium. $144,052 ÷ $13,845 = 10.4 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $132,848. 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 Lewis & Clark College students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 31% of the $62,205 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Lewis & Clark College students graduate?
75% finish their degree. Spread the $144,052 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $192,069 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Lewis & Clark College expensive compared with other Oregon colleges?
Its $36,013 net price runs $19,073 above the $16,940 median across the 38 Oregon colleges we profile, or $76,292 more across the full degree.