Degree Dividend
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Clark College vs Everett Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Vancouver WA · vs · Public, Everett WA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Everett Community College comes closer — median earnings $45,434 against a $21,368 total, vs $42,356 at Clark College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureClark CollegeEverett Community College
Net price / yr$11,465$10,684
Total net cost$22,930$21,368
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,356$45,434
Median debt$10,881$10,417
Payback
20-year net return-$143,010-$79,888

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

Which is cheaper, Clark College or Everett Community College?

Everett Community College, at $10,684 a year after aid versus $11,465 — a gap of $781 a year, or $1,562 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 Everett Community College graduates earn more?

Everett Community College graduates report a median $45,434 ten years after entry, $3,078 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 Everett Community College?

Everett Community College: its completers carry a median $10,417 in federal loans versus $10,881 at Clark College, a difference of $464. 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 37% at Everett 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.

Clark College vs Everett Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Clark College or Everett Community College a better value?
Everett Community 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 Everett Community College?
Everett Community College: $10,684/yr net price after aid versus $11,465/yr at Clark College — a difference of $781 a year, or about $1,562 over four years.
Do Clark College or Everett Community College graduates earn more?
Everett Community College graduates earn a median $45,434 ten years after entry, versus $42,356 at Clark College — a $3,078 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.