Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Bates Technical College vs Renton Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Tacoma WA · vs · Public, Renton WA

The verdict

Bates Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $25,168 in 14.9 years versus 23.3 years at Renton Technical College, on median earnings of $50,051 vs $49,782 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureBates Technical CollegeRenton Technical College
Net price / yr$6,292$8,296
Total net cost$25,168$33,184
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,051$49,782
Median debt$7,920
Payback14.9 yrs23.3 yrs
20-year net return$8,652-$4,744

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Bates Technical College or Renton Technical College?

Bates Technical College, at $6,292 a year after aid versus $8,296 — a gap of $2,004 a year, or $8,016 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bates Technical College or Renton Technical College graduates earn more?

Bates Technical College graduates report a median $50,051 ten years after entry, $269 more than the $49,782 at Renton Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

46% of students finish at Renton Technical College, against 43% at Bates Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Bates Technical College vs Renton Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Bates Technical College or Renton Technical College a better value?
Bates Technical College. It clears its $25,168 net cost in about 14.9 years versus 23.3 years at Renton Technical College, on median earnings of $50,051 vs $49,782 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Bates Technical College or Renton Technical College?
Bates Technical College: $6,292/yr net price after aid versus $8,296/yr at Renton Technical College — a difference of $2,004 a year, or about $8,016 over four years.
Do Bates Technical College or Renton Technical College graduates earn more?
Bates Technical College graduates earn a median $50,051 ten years after entry, versus $49,782 at Renton Technical College — a $269 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.