Degree Dividend
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Spokane Community College vs Carrington College-Spokane: which has better ROI?

Public, Spokane WA · vs · Private for-profit, Spokane WA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Spokane Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,984 against a $10,946 total, vs $36,625 at Carrington College-Spokane. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSpokane Community CollegeCarrington College-Spokane
Net price / yr$5,473$42,335
Total net cost$10,946$169,340
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,984$36,625
Median debt$13,501$9,295
Payback
20-year net return-$138,466-$404,040

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

Which is cheaper, Spokane Community College or Carrington College-Spokane?

Spokane Community College, at $5,473 a year after aid versus $42,335 — a gap of $36,862 a year, or $158,394 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Spokane Community College or Carrington College-Spokane graduates earn more?

Spokane Community College graduates report a median $41,984 ten years after entry, $5,359 more than the $36,625 at Carrington College-Spokane. 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, Spokane Community College or Carrington College-Spokane?

Carrington College-Spokane: its completers carry a median $9,295 in federal loans versus $13,501 at Spokane Community College, a difference of $4,206. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

42% of students finish at Carrington College-Spokane, against 33% at Spokane Community 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.

Spokane Community College vs Carrington College-Spokane: frequently asked questions

Is Spokane Community College or Carrington College-Spokane a better value?
Spokane Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Spokane Community College or Carrington College-Spokane?
Spokane Community College: $5,473/yr net price after aid versus $42,335/yr at Carrington College-Spokane — a difference of $36,862 a year, or about $158,394 over four years.
Do Spokane Community College or Carrington College-Spokane graduates earn more?
Spokane Community College graduates earn a median $41,984 ten years after entry, versus $36,625 at Carrington College-Spokane — a $5,359 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.