Highline College vs Carrington College-Spokane: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Highline College comes closer — median earnings $47,869 against a $19,758 total, vs $36,625 at Carrington College-Spokane. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Highline College | Carrington College-Spokane |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,879 | $42,335 |
| Total net cost | $19,758 | $169,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,869 | $36,625 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $9,295 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$29,578 | -$404,040 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Highline College or Carrington College-Spokane?
Highline College, at $9,879 a year after aid versus $42,335 — a gap of $32,456 a year, or $149,582 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Highline College or Carrington College-Spokane graduates earn more?
Highline College graduates report a median $47,869 ten years after entry, $11,244 more than the $36,625 at Carrington College-Spokane. 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, Highline College or Carrington College-Spokane?
Carrington College-Spokane: its completers carry a median $9,295 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Highline College, a difference of $205. 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 Carrington College-Spokane, against 35% at Highline 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.