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Clark College vs Pima Medical Institute-Renton: which has better ROI?

Public, Vancouver WA · vs · Private for-profit, Renton WA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Clark College comes closer — median earnings $42,356 against a $22,930 total, vs $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-Renton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureClark CollegePima Medical Institute-Renton
Net price / yr$11,465$31,578
Total net cost$22,930$126,312
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,356$38,673
Median debt$10,881$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$143,010-$320,052

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

Which is cheaper, Clark College or Pima Medical Institute-Renton?

Clark College, at $11,465 a year after aid versus $31,578 — a gap of $20,113 a year, or $103,382 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 Pima Medical Institute-Renton graduates earn more?

Clark College graduates report a median $42,356 ten years after entry, $3,683 more than the $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-Renton. 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 Pima Medical Institute-Renton?

Pima Medical Institute-Renton: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,881 at Clark College, a difference of $1,381. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Pima Medical Institute-Renton, 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.

Clark College vs Pima Medical Institute-Renton: frequently asked questions

Is Clark College or Pima Medical Institute-Renton a better value?
Clark 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 Pima Medical Institute-Renton?
Clark College: $11,465/yr net price after aid versus $31,578/yr at Pima Medical Institute-Renton — a difference of $20,113 a year, or about $103,382 over four years.
Do Clark College or Pima Medical Institute-Renton graduates earn more?
Clark College graduates earn a median $42,356 ten years after entry, versus $38,673 at Pima Medical Institute-Renton — a $3,683 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.