Linfield University vs Oregon State University-Cascades Campus: which has better ROI?
Linfield University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,144 in 3.5 years versus 4.6 years at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, on median earnings of $78,638 vs $64,010 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Linfield University | Oregon State University-Cascades Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,536 | $18,048 |
| Total net cost | $106,144 | $72,192 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,638 | $64,010 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $21,221 |
| Payback | 3.5 yrs | 4.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $499,416 | $240,808 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Linfield University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus, at $18,048 a year after aid versus $26,536 — a gap of $8,488 a year, or $33,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Linfield University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus graduates earn more?
Linfield University graduates report a median $78,638 ten years after entry, $14,628 more than the $64,010 at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. 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, Linfield University or Oregon State University-Cascades Campus?
Oregon State University-Cascades Campus: its completers carry a median $21,221 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Linfield University, a difference of $3,779. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Linfield University, against 56% at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus. 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.