Lake Washington Institute of Technology vs Bates Technical College: which has better ROI?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $27,268 in 11.8 years versus 14.9 years at Bates Technical College, on median earnings of $50,669 vs $50,051 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Bates Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,817 | $6,292 |
| Total net cost | $27,268 | $25,168 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,669 | $50,051 |
| Median debt | $15,047 | — |
| Payback | 11.8 yrs | 14.9 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,912 | $8,652 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Bates Technical College?
Bates Technical College, at $6,292 a year after aid versus $6,817 — a gap of $525 a year, or $2,100 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Bates Technical College graduates earn more?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology graduates report a median $50,669 ten years after entry, $618 more than the $50,051 at Bates 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 graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Bates Technical 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.