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Walla Walla Community College vs Centralia College: which has better ROI?

Public, Walla Walla WA · vs · Public, Centralia WA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Walla Walla Community College comes closer — median earnings $43,526 against a $18,812 total, vs $43,140 at Centralia College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWalla Walla Community CollegeCentralia College
Net price / yr$9,406$9,862
Total net cost$18,812$19,724
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,526$43,140
Median debt$14,000
Payback
20-year net return-$115,492-$124,124

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

Which is cheaper, Walla Walla Community College or Centralia College?

Walla Walla Community College, at $9,406 a year after aid versus $9,862 — a gap of $456 a year, or $912 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Walla Walla Community College or Centralia College graduates earn more?

Walla Walla Community College graduates report a median $43,526 ten years after entry, $386 more than the $43,140 at Centralia 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 graduates more of its students?

42% of students finish at Centralia College, against 38% at Walla Walla 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.

Walla Walla Community College vs Centralia College: frequently asked questions

Is Walla Walla Community College or Centralia College a better value?
Walla Walla 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, Walla Walla Community College or Centralia College?
Walla Walla Community College: $9,406/yr net price after aid versus $9,862/yr at Centralia College — a difference of $456 a year, or about $912 over four years.
Do Walla Walla Community College or Centralia College graduates earn more?
Walla Walla Community College graduates earn a median $43,526 ten years after entry, versus $43,140 at Centralia College — a $386 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.