Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Renton Technical College vs Heritage University: which has better ROI?

Public, Renton WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Toppenish WA

The verdict

Renton Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $33,184 in 23.3 years versus 55.3 years at Heritage University, on median earnings of $49,782 vs $49,416 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureRenton Technical CollegeHeritage University
Net price / yr$8,296$14,598
Total net cost$33,184$58,392
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,782$49,416
Median debt$7,920$14,573
Payback23.3 yrs55.3 yrs
20-year net return-$4,744-$37,272

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

Which is cheaper, Renton Technical College or Heritage University?

Renton Technical College, at $8,296 a year after aid versus $14,598 — a gap of $6,302 a year, or $25,208 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 Heritage University graduates earn more?

Renton Technical College graduates report a median $49,782 ten years after entry, $366 more than the $49,416 at Heritage 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, Renton Technical College or Heritage University?

Renton Technical College: its completers carry a median $7,920 in federal loans versus $14,573 at Heritage University, a difference of $6,653. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Heritage University, against 46% at Renton 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.

Renton Technical College vs Heritage University: frequently asked questions

Is Renton Technical College or Heritage University a better value?
Renton Technical College. It clears its $33,184 net cost in about 23.3 years versus 55.3 years at Heritage University, on median earnings of $49,782 vs $49,416 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Renton Technical College or Heritage University?
Renton Technical College: $8,296/yr net price after aid versus $14,598/yr at Heritage University — a difference of $6,302 a year, or about $25,208 over four years.
Do Renton Technical College or Heritage University graduates earn more?
Renton Technical College graduates earn a median $49,782 ten years after entry, versus $49,416 at Heritage University — a $366 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.