Seattle University vs Cascadia College: which has better ROI?
Cascadia College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $24,562 in 4.3 years versus 5.2 years at Seattle University, on median earnings of $54,133 vs $75,272 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Seattle University | Cascadia College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,662 | $12,281 |
| Total net cost | $138,648 | $24,562 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,272 | $54,133 |
| Median debt | $19,883 | $6,368 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 4.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $399,592 | $90,898 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Seattle University or Cascadia College?
Cascadia College, at $12,281 a year after aid versus $34,662 — a gap of $22,381 a year, or $114,086 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 University or Cascadia College graduates earn more?
Seattle University graduates report a median $75,272 ten years after entry, $21,139 more than the $54,133 at Cascadia 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 University or Cascadia College?
Cascadia College: its completers carry a median $6,368 in federal loans versus $19,883 at Seattle University, a difference of $13,515. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at Seattle University, against 32% at Cascadia 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.