Clark College vs The Evergreen State College: 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 $45,320 at The Evergreen State College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Clark College | The Evergreen State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,465 | $24,319 |
| Total net cost | $22,930 | $97,276 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,356 | $45,320 |
| Median debt | $10,881 | $20,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$143,010 | -$158,076 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Clark College or The Evergreen State College?
Clark College, at $11,465 a year after aid versus $24,319 — a gap of $12,854 a year, or $74,346 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 The Evergreen State College graduates earn more?
The Evergreen State College graduates report a median $45,320 ten years after entry, $2,964 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 The Evergreen State College?
Clark College: its completers carry a median $10,881 in federal loans versus $20,500 at The Evergreen State College, a difference of $9,619. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
41% of students finish at The Evergreen State College, 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.