Lake Washington Institute of Technology vs Bellingham 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 17.3 years at Bellingham Technical College, on median earnings of $50,669 vs $49,748 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Bellingham Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,817 | $5,997 |
| Total net cost | $27,268 | $23,988 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,669 | $49,748 |
| Median debt | $15,047 | $17,459 |
| Payback | 11.8 yrs | 17.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,912 | $3,772 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Bellingham Technical College?
Bellingham Technical College, at $5,997 a year after aid versus $6,817 — a gap of $820 a year, or $3,280 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 Bellingham Technical College graduates earn more?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology graduates report a median $50,669 ten years after entry, $921 more than the $49,748 at Bellingham 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 leaves students with less debt, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Bellingham Technical College?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $15,047 in federal loans versus $17,459 at Bellingham Technical College, a difference of $2,412. 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 Bellingham 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.