Columbia College vs Harris-Stowe State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Columbia College comes closer — median earnings $45,378 against a $90,860 total, vs $31,088 at Harris-Stowe State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Columbia College | Harris-Stowe State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,715 | $9,922 |
| Total net cost | $90,860 | $39,688 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,378 | $31,088 |
| Median debt | $23,879 | $25,930 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$150,500 | -$385,128 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Columbia College or Harris-Stowe State University?
Harris-Stowe State University, at $9,922 a year after aid versus $22,715 — a gap of $12,793 a year, or $51,172 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Columbia College or Harris-Stowe State University graduates earn more?
Columbia College graduates report a median $45,378 ten years after entry, $14,290 more than the $31,088 at Harris-Stowe State University. 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, Columbia College or Harris-Stowe State University?
Columbia College: its completers carry a median $23,879 in federal loans versus $25,930 at Harris-Stowe State University, a difference of $2,051. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at Columbia College, against 28% at Harris-Stowe State University. 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.