Degree Dividend
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Central Oregon Community College vs Sumner College: which has better ROI?

Public, Bend OR · vs · Private for-profit, Portland OR

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Sumner College comes closer — median earnings $46,639 against a $117,644 total, vs $38,940 at Central Oregon Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral Oregon Community CollegeSumner College
Net price / yr$12,266$29,411
Total net cost$24,532$117,644
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,940$46,639
Median debt$12,000$16,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$212,932-$152,064

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

Which is cheaper, Central Oregon Community College or Sumner College?

Central Oregon Community College, at $12,266 a year after aid versus $29,411 — a gap of $17,145 a year, or $93,112 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Central Oregon Community College or Sumner College graduates earn more?

Sumner College graduates report a median $46,639 ten years after entry, $7,699 more than the $38,940 at Central Oregon Community 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, Central Oregon Community College or Sumner College?

Central Oregon Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $16,500 at Sumner College, a difference of $4,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

83% of students finish at Sumner College, against 25% at Central Oregon Community 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.

Central Oregon Community College vs Sumner College: frequently asked questions

Is Central Oregon Community College or Sumner College a better value?
Sumner College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Central Oregon Community College or Sumner College?
Central Oregon Community College: $12,266/yr net price after aid versus $29,411/yr at Sumner College — a difference of $17,145 a year, or about $93,112 over four years.
Do Central Oregon Community College or Sumner College graduates earn more?
Sumner College graduates earn a median $46,639 ten years after entry, versus $38,940 at Central Oregon Community College — a $7,699 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.