Bellevue College vs Pacific Lutheran University: which has better ROI?
Bellevue College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,860 in 2.9 years versus 4.2 years at Pacific Lutheran University, on median earnings of $56,310 vs $66,990 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bellevue College | Pacific Lutheran University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,430 | $19,589 |
| Total net cost | $22,860 | $78,356 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,310 | $66,990 |
| Median debt | $12,375 | $22,578 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | 4.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $136,140 | $294,244 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bellevue College or Pacific Lutheran University?
Bellevue College, at $11,430 a year after aid versus $19,589 — a gap of $8,159 a year, or $55,496 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Bellevue College or Pacific Lutheran University graduates earn more?
Pacific Lutheran University graduates report a median $66,990 ten years after entry, $10,680 more than the $56,310 at Bellevue 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 leaves students with less debt, Bellevue College or Pacific Lutheran University?
Bellevue College: its completers carry a median $12,375 in federal loans versus $22,578 at Pacific Lutheran University, a difference of $10,203. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at Pacific Lutheran University, against 36% at Bellevue 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.