Linn-Benton Community College vs Clatsop Community College: 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 $39,477 at Clatsop Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Linn-Benton Community College | Clatsop Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,553 | $10,548 |
| Total net cost | $23,106 | $21,096 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,363 | $39,477 |
| Median debt | $11,961 | $11,602 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$163,046 | -$198,756 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Linn-Benton Community College or Clatsop Community College?
Clatsop Community College, at $10,548 a year after aid versus $11,553 — a gap of $1,005 a year, or $2,010 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 Clatsop Community College graduates earn more?
Linn-Benton Community College graduates report a median $41,363 ten years after entry, $1,886 more than the $39,477 at Clatsop Community 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, Linn-Benton Community College or Clatsop Community College?
Clatsop Community College: its completers carry a median $11,602 in federal loans versus $11,961 at Linn-Benton Community College, a difference of $359. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
29% of students finish at Clatsop Community College, 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.