Clark College vs Whatcom Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Whatcom Community College comes closer — median earnings $44,092 against a $23,590 total, vs $42,356 at Clark College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Clark College | Whatcom Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,465 | $11,795 |
| Total net cost | $22,930 | $23,590 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,356 | $44,092 |
| Median debt | $10,881 | $10,643 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$143,010 | -$108,950 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Clark College or Whatcom Community College?
Clark College, at $11,465 a year after aid versus $11,795 — a gap of $330 a year, or $660 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 Whatcom Community College graduates earn more?
Whatcom Community College graduates report a median $44,092 ten years after entry, $1,736 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 Whatcom Community College?
Whatcom Community College: its completers carry a median $10,643 in federal loans versus $10,881 at Clark College, a difference of $238. 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 36% at Whatcom 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.