Southwestern College vs Washburn Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Southwestern College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $119,296 in 16.4 years versus 24.3 years at Washburn Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $55,646 vs $49,774 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southwestern College | Washburn Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,824 | $8,607 |
| Total net cost | $119,296 | $34,428 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,646 | $49,774 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $18,127 |
| Payback | 16.4 yrs | 24.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $26,424 | -$6,148 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southwestern College or Washburn Institute of Technology?
Washburn Institute of Technology, at $8,607 a year after aid versus $29,824 — a gap of $21,217 a year, or $84,868 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Southwestern College or Washburn Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Southwestern College graduates report a median $55,646 ten years after entry, $5,872 more than the $49,774 at Washburn Institute of Technology. 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, Southwestern College or Washburn Institute of Technology?
Washburn Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $18,127 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Southwestern College, a difference of $6,873. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at Washburn Institute of Technology, against 36% at Southwestern 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.