Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Central Washington University vs Shoreline College: which has better ROI?

Public, Ellensburg WA · vs · Public, Shoreline WA

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

The verdict

Shoreline College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $17,170 in 4.7 years versus 5.6 years at Central Washington University, on median earnings of $52,009 vs $61,580 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureCentral Washington UniversityShoreline College
Net price / yr$18,476$8,585
Total net cost$73,904$17,170
Median earnings, 10 yrs$61,580$52,009
Median debt$19,500$12,021
Payback5.6 yrs4.7 yrs
20-year net return$190,496$55,810

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

Which is cheaper, Central Washington University or Shoreline College?

Shoreline College, at $8,585 a year after aid versus $18,476 — a gap of $9,891 a year, or $56,734 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 Washington University or Shoreline College graduates earn more?

Central Washington University graduates report a median $61,580 ten years after entry, $9,571 more than the $52,009 at Shoreline 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 Washington University or Shoreline College?

Shoreline College: its completers carry a median $12,021 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Central Washington University, a difference of $7,479. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Central Washington University, against 29% at Shoreline 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 Washington University vs Shoreline College: frequently asked questions

Is Central Washington University or Shoreline College a better value?
Shoreline College. It clears its $17,170 net cost in about 4.7 years versus 5.6 years at Central Washington University, on median earnings of $52,009 vs $61,580 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Central Washington University or Shoreline College?
Shoreline College: $8,585/yr net price after aid versus $18,476/yr at Central Washington University — a difference of $9,891 a year, or about $56,734 over four years.
Do Central Washington University or Shoreline College graduates earn more?
Central Washington University graduates earn a median $61,580 ten years after entry, versus $52,009 at Shoreline College — a $9,571 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.