Green River College vs Lake Washington Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Green River College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $27,606 in 11.7 years versus 11.8 years at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $50,712 vs $50,669 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Green River College | Lake Washington Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,803 | $6,817 |
| Total net cost | $27,606 | $27,268 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,712 | $50,669 |
| Median debt | $11,891 | $15,047 |
| Payback | 11.7 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $19,434 | $18,912 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Green River College or Lake Washington Institute of Technology?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, at $6,817 a year after aid versus $13,803 — a gap of $6,986 a year, or $338 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Green River College or Lake Washington Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Green River College graduates report a median $50,712 ten years after entry, $43 more than the $50,669 at Lake Washington 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, Green River College or Lake Washington Institute of Technology?
Green River College: its completers carry a median $11,891 in federal loans versus $15,047 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, a difference of $3,156. 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 Green River College, against 37% at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. 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.