Seattle University vs Shoreline College: which has better ROI?
Shoreline College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $17,170 in 4.7 years versus 5.2 years at Seattle University, on median earnings of $52,009 vs $75,272 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Seattle University | Shoreline College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,662 | $8,585 |
| Total net cost | $138,648 | $17,170 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,272 | $52,009 |
| Median debt | $19,883 | $12,021 |
| Payback | 5.2 yrs | 4.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $399,592 | $55,810 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Seattle University or Shoreline College?
Shoreline College, at $8,585 a year after aid versus $34,662 — a gap of $26,077 a year, or $121,478 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 Shoreline College graduates earn more?
Seattle University graduates report a median $75,272 ten years after entry, $23,263 more than the $52,009 at Shoreline 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 Shoreline College?
Shoreline College: its completers carry a median $12,021 in federal loans versus $19,883 at Seattle University, a difference of $7,862. 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 29% at Shoreline 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.