Degree Dividend
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Portland Community College vs University of Portland: which has better ROI?

Public, Portland OR · vs · Private nonprofit, Portland OR

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of Portland has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $112,840 in 3.3 years versus not at all at Portland Community College, on median earnings of $82,804 vs $44,592 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePortland Community CollegeUniversity of Portland
Net price / yr$10,405$28,210
Total net cost$20,810$112,840
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,592$82,804
Median debt$12,999$21,370
Payback—3.3 yrs
20-year net return-$96,170$576,040

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Portland Community College or University of Portland?

Portland Community College, at $10,405 a year after aid versus $28,210 — a gap of $17,805 a year, or $92,030 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Portland Community College or University of Portland graduates earn more?

University of Portland graduates report a median $82,804 ten years after entry, $38,212 more than the $44,592 at Portland 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, Portland Community College or University of Portland?

Portland Community College: its completers carry a median $12,999 in federal loans versus $21,370 at University of Portland, a difference of $8,371. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at University of Portland, against 18% at Portland 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.

Portland Community College vs University of Portland: frequently asked questions

Is Portland Community College or University of Portland a better value?
University of Portland. It clears its $112,840 net cost in about 3.3 years versus no clear payback at Portland Community College, on median earnings of $82,804 vs $44,592 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Portland Community College or University of Portland?
Portland Community College: $10,405/yr net price after aid versus $28,210/yr at University of Portland — a difference of $17,805 a year, or about $92,030 over four years.
Do Portland Community College or University of Portland graduates earn more?
University of Portland graduates earn a median $82,804 ten years after entry, versus $44,592 at Portland Community College — a $38,212 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.