Bellevue College vs University of Washington-Bothell Campus: which has better ROI?
University of Washington-Bothell Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,276 in 1.6 years versus 2.9 years at Bellevue College, on median earnings of $78,466 vs $56,310 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bellevue College | University of Washington-Bothell Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,430 | $12,319 |
| Total net cost | $22,860 | $49,276 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,310 | $78,466 |
| Median debt | $12,375 | $14,615 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | 1.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $136,140 | $552,844 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bellevue College or University of Washington-Bothell Campus?
Bellevue College, at $11,430 a year after aid versus $12,319 — a gap of $889 a year, or $26,416 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 University of Washington-Bothell Campus graduates earn more?
University of Washington-Bothell Campus graduates report a median $78,466 ten years after entry, $22,156 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 University of Washington-Bothell Campus?
Bellevue College: its completers carry a median $12,375 in federal loans versus $14,615 at University of Washington-Bothell Campus, a difference of $2,240. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at University of Washington-Bothell Campus, 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.