Portland State University vs Lewis & Clark College: which has better ROI?
Portland State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $38,208 in 4 years versus 10.4 years at Lewis & Clark College, on median earnings of $57,906 vs $62,205 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Portland State University | Lewis & Clark College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,552 | $36,013 |
| Total net cost | $38,208 | $144,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,906 | $62,205 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $19,500 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | 10.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $152,712 | $132,848 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Portland State University or Lewis & Clark College?
Portland State University, at $9,552 a year after aid versus $36,013 — a gap of $26,461 a year, or $105,844 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 State University or Lewis & Clark College graduates earn more?
Lewis & Clark College graduates report a median $62,205 ten years after entry, $4,299 more than the $57,906 at Portland State University. 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 State University or Lewis & Clark College?
Lewis & Clark College: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $20,500 at Portland State University, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Lewis & Clark College, against 53% at Portland State University. 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.