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Clark College vs Edmonds College: which has better ROI?

Public, Vancouver WA · vs · Public, Lynnwood WA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Edmonds College comes closer — median earnings $48,144 against a $22,020 total, vs $42,356 at Clark College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureClark CollegeEdmonds College
Net price / yr$11,465$11,010
Total net cost$22,930$22,020
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,356$48,144
Median debt$10,881$11,855
Payback
20-year net return-$143,010-$26,340

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

Which is cheaper, Clark College or Edmonds College?

Edmonds College, at $11,010 a year after aid versus $11,465 — a gap of $455 a year, or $910 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Clark College or Edmonds College graduates earn more?

Edmonds College graduates report a median $48,144 ten years after entry, $5,788 more than the $42,356 at Clark 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, Clark College or Edmonds College?

Clark College: its completers carry a median $10,881 in federal loans versus $11,855 at Edmonds College, a difference of $974. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

39% of students finish at Clark College, against 29% at Edmonds 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.

Clark College vs Edmonds College: frequently asked questions

Is Clark College or Edmonds College a better value?
Edmonds 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, Clark College or Edmonds College?
Edmonds College: $11,010/yr net price after aid versus $11,465/yr at Clark College — a difference of $455 a year, or about $910 over four years.
Do Clark College or Edmonds College graduates earn more?
Edmonds College graduates earn a median $48,144 ten years after entry, versus $42,356 at Clark College — a $5,788 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.