Lewis & Clark College vs Willamette University: which has better ROI?
Lewis & Clark College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $144,052 in 10.4 years versus 11.8 years at Willamette University, on median earnings of $62,205 vs $56,911 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lewis & Clark College | Willamette University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,013 | $25,121 |
| Total net cost | $144,052 | $100,484 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $62,205 | $56,911 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $21,500 |
| Payback | 10.4 yrs | 11.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $132,848 | $70,536 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lewis & Clark College or Willamette University?
Willamette University, at $25,121 a year after aid versus $36,013 — a gap of $10,892 a year, or $43,568 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lewis & Clark College or Willamette University graduates earn more?
Lewis & Clark College graduates report a median $62,205 ten years after entry, $5,294 more than the $56,911 at Willamette University. 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, Lewis & Clark College or Willamette University?
Lewis & Clark College: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Willamette University, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Lewis & Clark College, against 71% at Willamette University. 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.