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Clark College vs UEI College-Tacoma: which has better ROI?

Public, Vancouver WA · vs · Private for-profit, Tacoma 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 $30,848 at UEI College-Tacoma. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureClark CollegeUEI College-Tacoma
Net price / yr$11,465$36,850
Total net cost$22,930$147,400
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,356$30,848
Median debt$10,881$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$143,010-$497,640

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

Which is cheaper, Clark College or UEI College-Tacoma?

Clark College, at $11,465 a year after aid versus $36,850 — a gap of $25,385 a year, or $124,470 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 UEI College-Tacoma graduates earn more?

Clark College graduates report a median $42,356 ten years after entry, $11,508 more than the $30,848 at UEI College-Tacoma. 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 UEI College-Tacoma?

UEI College-Tacoma: 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?

58% of students finish at UEI College-Tacoma, 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 UEI College-Tacoma: frequently asked questions

Is Clark College or UEI College-Tacoma 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 UEI College-Tacoma?
Clark College: $11,465/yr net price after aid versus $36,850/yr at UEI College-Tacoma — a difference of $25,385 a year, or about $124,470 over four years.
Do Clark College or UEI College-Tacoma graduates earn more?
Clark College graduates earn a median $42,356 ten years after entry, versus $30,848 at UEI College-Tacoma — a $11,508 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.