Linn-Benton Community College vs Carrington College-Portland: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Linn-Benton Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,363 against a $23,106 total, vs $36,625 at Carrington College-Portland. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Linn-Benton Community College | Carrington College-Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,553 | $36,595 |
| Total net cost | $23,106 | $146,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,363 | $36,625 |
| Median debt | $11,961 | $9,295 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$163,046 | -$381,080 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Linn-Benton Community College or Carrington College-Portland?
Linn-Benton Community College, at $11,553 a year after aid versus $36,595 — a gap of $25,042 a year, or $123,274 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Linn-Benton Community College or Carrington College-Portland graduates earn more?
Linn-Benton Community College graduates report a median $41,363 ten years after entry, $4,738 more than the $36,625 at Carrington College-Portland. 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, Linn-Benton Community College or Carrington College-Portland?
Carrington College-Portland: its completers carry a median $9,295 in federal loans versus $11,961 at Linn-Benton Community College, a difference of $2,666. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Carrington College-Portland, against 29% at Linn-Benton Community 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.