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Green River College vs Perry Technical Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Auburn WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Yakima WA

The verdict

Perry Technical Institute has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $80,188 in 8.5 years versus 11.7 years at Green River College, on median earnings of $57,764 vs $50,712 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGreen River CollegePerry Technical Institute
Net price / yr$13,803$20,047
Total net cost$27,606$80,188
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,712$57,764
Median debt$11,891$14,139
Payback11.7 yrs8.5 yrs
20-year net return$19,434$107,892

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

Which is cheaper, Green River College or Perry Technical Institute?

Green River College, at $13,803 a year after aid versus $20,047 — a gap of $6,244 a year, or $52,582 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 Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?

Perry Technical Institute graduates report a median $57,764 ten years after entry, $7,052 more than the $50,712 at Green River 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, Green River College or Perry Technical Institute?

Green River College: its completers carry a median $11,891 in federal loans versus $14,139 at Perry Technical Institute, a difference of $2,248. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

79% of students finish at Perry Technical Institute, against 39% at Green River 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.

Green River College vs Perry Technical Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Green River College or Perry Technical Institute a better value?
Perry Technical Institute. It clears its $80,188 net cost in about 8.5 years versus 11.7 years at Green River College, on median earnings of $57,764 vs $50,712 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Green River College or Perry Technical Institute?
Green River College: $13,803/yr net price after aid versus $20,047/yr at Perry Technical Institute — a difference of $6,244 a year, or about $52,582 over four years.
Do Green River College or Perry Technical Institute graduates earn more?
Perry Technical Institute graduates earn a median $57,764 ten years after entry, versus $50,712 at Green River College — a $7,052 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.