Clark College vs Paul Mitchell the School-Richland: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Clark College comes closer — median earnings $42,356 against a $22,930 total, vs $27,407 at Paul Mitchell the School-Richland. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Clark College | Paul Mitchell the School-Richland |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,465 | $26,617 |
| Total net cost | $22,930 | $106,468 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,356 | $27,407 |
| Median debt | $10,881 | $9,917 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$143,010 | -$525,528 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Clark College or Paul Mitchell the School-Richland?
Clark College, at $11,465 a year after aid versus $26,617 — a gap of $15,152 a year, or $83,538 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Richland graduates earn more?
Clark College graduates report a median $42,356 ten years after entry, $14,949 more than the $27,407 at Paul Mitchell the School-Richland. 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Richland?
Paul Mitchell the School-Richland: its completers carry a median $9,917 in federal loans versus $10,881 at Clark College, a difference of $964. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Richland, against 39% at Clark 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.