Renton Technical College vs Bellingham Technical College: which has better ROI?
Bellingham Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $23,988 in 17.3 years versus 23.3 years at Renton Technical College, on median earnings of $49,748 vs $49,782 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Renton Technical College | Bellingham Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,296 | $5,997 |
| Total net cost | $33,184 | $23,988 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,782 | $49,748 |
| Median debt | $7,920 | $17,459 |
| Payback | 23.3 yrs | 17.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$4,744 | $3,772 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Renton Technical College or Bellingham Technical College?
Bellingham Technical College, at $5,997 a year after aid versus $8,296 — a gap of $2,299 a year, or $9,196 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Renton Technical College or Bellingham Technical College graduates earn more?
Renton Technical College graduates report a median $49,782 ten years after entry, $34 more than the $49,748 at Bellingham Technical 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, Renton Technical College or Bellingham Technical College?
Renton Technical College: its completers carry a median $7,920 in federal loans versus $17,459 at Bellingham Technical College, a difference of $9,539. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at Renton Technical College, against 42% at Bellingham Technical 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.