Degree Dividend
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Clover Park Technical College vs Big Bend Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Lakewood WA · vs · Public, Moses Lake WA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Big Bend Community College comes closer — median earnings $43,814 against a $24,420 total, vs $41,787 at Clover Park Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureClover Park Technical CollegeBig Bend Community College
Net price / yr$9,864$12,210
Total net cost$39,456$24,420
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,787$43,814
Median debt$12,112$9,166
Payback
20-year net return-$170,916-$115,340

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

Which is cheaper, Clover Park Technical College or Big Bend Community College?

Clover Park Technical College, at $9,864 a year after aid versus $12,210 — a gap of $2,346 a year, or $15,036 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Clover Park Technical College or Big Bend Community College graduates earn more?

Big Bend Community College graduates report a median $43,814 ten years after entry, $2,027 more than the $41,787 at Clover Park Technical 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, Clover Park Technical College or Big Bend Community College?

Big Bend Community College: its completers carry a median $9,166 in federal loans versus $12,112 at Clover Park Technical College, a difference of $2,946. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at Clover Park Technical College, against 42% at Big Bend 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.

Clover Park Technical College vs Big Bend Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Clover Park Technical College or Big Bend Community College a better value?
Big Bend 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, Clover Park Technical College or Big Bend Community College?
Clover Park Technical College: $9,864/yr net price after aid versus $12,210/yr at Big Bend Community College — a difference of $2,346 a year, or about $15,036 over four years.
Do Clover Park Technical College or Big Bend Community College graduates earn more?
Big Bend Community College graduates earn a median $43,814 ten years after entry, versus $41,787 at Clover Park Technical College — a $2,027 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.