Washington County Community College vs College of the Atlantic: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of the Atlantic comes closer — median earnings $40,264 against a $100,736 total, vs $34,407 at Washington County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Washington County Community College | College of the Atlantic |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,149 | $25,184 |
| Total net cost | $20,596 | $100,736 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,407 | $40,264 |
| Median debt | — | $25,050 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$299,656 | -$262,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Washington County Community College or College of the Atlantic?
Washington County Community College, at $5,149 a year after aid versus $25,184 — a gap of $20,035 a year, or $80,140 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Washington County Community College or College of the Atlantic graduates earn more?
College of the Atlantic graduates report a median $40,264 ten years after entry, $5,857 more than the $34,407 at Washington County Community 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?
68% of students finish at College of the Atlantic, against 55% at Washington County 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.