University of Washington-Tacoma Campus vs Cascadia College: which has better ROI?
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,652 in 1.4 years versus 4.3 years at Cascadia College, on median earnings of $78,466 vs $54,133 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Cascadia College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,163 | $12,281 |
| Total net cost | $40,652 | $24,562 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $78,466 | $54,133 |
| Median debt | $14,615 | $6,368 |
| Payback | 1.4 yrs | 4.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $561,468 | $90,898 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus or Cascadia College?
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, at $10,163 a year after aid versus $12,281 — a gap of $2,118 a year, or $16,090 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Washington-Tacoma Campus or Cascadia College graduates earn more?
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus graduates report a median $78,466 ten years after entry, $24,333 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, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus or Cascadia College?
Cascadia College: its completers carry a median $6,368 in federal loans versus $14,615 at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, a difference of $8,247. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, 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.