Seattle Central College vs North Seattle College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Seattle College comes closer — median earnings $47,728 against a $42,960 total, vs $43,307 at Seattle Central College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Seattle Central College | North Seattle College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,819 | $10,740 |
| Total net cost | $17,638 | $42,960 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,307 | $47,728 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $15,458 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$118,698 | -$55,600 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Seattle Central College or North Seattle College?
Seattle Central College, at $8,819 a year after aid versus $10,740 — a gap of $1,921 a year, or $25,322 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Seattle Central College or North Seattle College graduates earn more?
North Seattle College graduates report a median $47,728 ten years after entry, $4,421 more than the $43,307 at Seattle Central 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, Seattle Central College or North Seattle College?
Seattle Central College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $15,458 at North Seattle College, a difference of $3,458. 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 North Seattle College, against 32% at Seattle Central 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.