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Cascadia College vs DigiPen Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Bothell WA · vs · Private for-profit, Redmond WA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Cascadia College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $24,562 in 4.3 years versus 5.6 years at DigiPen Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $54,133 vs $79,878 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCascadia CollegeDigiPen Institute of Technology
Net price / yr$12,281$44,446
Total net cost$24,562$177,784
Median earnings, 10 yrs$54,133$79,878
Median debt$6,368$27,000
Payback4.3 yrs5.6 yrs
20-year net return$90,898$452,576

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

Which is cheaper, Cascadia College or DigiPen Institute of Technology?

Cascadia College, at $12,281 a year after aid versus $44,446 — a gap of $32,165 a year, or $153,222 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Cascadia College or DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates report a median $79,878 ten years after entry, $25,745 more than the $54,133 at Cascadia 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, Cascadia College or DigiPen Institute of Technology?

Cascadia College: its completers carry a median $6,368 in federal loans versus $27,000 at DigiPen Institute of Technology, a difference of $20,632. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

61% of students finish at DigiPen Institute of Technology, against 32% at Cascadia 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.

Cascadia College vs DigiPen Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Cascadia College or DigiPen Institute of Technology a better value?
Cascadia College. It clears its $24,562 net cost in about 4.3 years versus 5.6 years at DigiPen Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $54,133 vs $79,878 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Cascadia College or DigiPen Institute of Technology?
Cascadia College: $12,281/yr net price after aid versus $44,446/yr at DigiPen Institute of Technology — a difference of $32,165 a year, or about $153,222 over four years.
Do Cascadia College or DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
DigiPen Institute of Technology graduates earn a median $79,878 ten years after entry, versus $54,133 at Cascadia College — a $25,745 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.