Pierce College District vs Columbia Basin College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pierce College District comes closer — median earnings $47,532 against a $20,444 total, vs $46,680 at Columbia Basin College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pierce College District | Columbia Basin College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,222 | $8,317 |
| Total net cost | $20,444 | $16,634 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,532 | $46,680 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $14,829 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$37,004 | -$50,234 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pierce College District or Columbia Basin College?
Columbia Basin College, at $8,317 a year after aid versus $10,222 — a gap of $1,905 a year, or $3,810 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pierce College District or Columbia Basin College graduates earn more?
Pierce College District graduates report a median $47,532 ten years after entry, $852 more than the $46,680 at Columbia Basin 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, Pierce College District or Columbia Basin College?
Pierce College District: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $14,829 at Columbia Basin College, a difference of $2,829. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
33% of students finish at Columbia Basin College, against 31% at Pierce College District. 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.