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Clatsop Community College vs Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?

Public, Astoria OR · vs · Private for-profit, Salem OR

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Clatsop Community College comes closer — median earnings $39,477 against a $21,096 total, vs $37,507 at Institute of Technology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureClatsop Community CollegeInstitute of Technology
Net price / yr$10,548$37,376
Total net cost$21,096$149,504
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,477$37,507
Median debt$11,602$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$198,756-$366,564

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

Which is cheaper, Clatsop Community College or Institute of Technology?

Clatsop Community College, at $10,548 a year after aid versus $37,376 — a gap of $26,828 a year, or $128,408 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Clatsop Community College or Institute of Technology graduates earn more?

Clatsop Community College graduates report a median $39,477 ten years after entry, $1,970 more than the $37,507 at Institute of Technology. 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, Clatsop Community College or Institute of Technology?

Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $11,602 at Clatsop Community College, a difference of $2,102. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Institute of Technology, against 29% at Clatsop 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.

Clatsop Community College vs Institute of Technology: frequently asked questions

Is Clatsop Community College or Institute of Technology a better value?
Clatsop Community 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, Clatsop Community College or Institute of Technology?
Clatsop Community College: $10,548/yr net price after aid versus $37,376/yr at Institute of Technology — a difference of $26,828 a year, or about $128,408 over four years.
Do Clatsop Community College or Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Clatsop Community College graduates earn a median $39,477 ten years after entry, versus $37,507 at Institute of Technology — a $1,970 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.