Degree Dividend
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Western Oregon University vs Warner Pacific University: which has better ROI?

Public, Monmouth OR · vs · Private nonprofit, Portland OR

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Warner Pacific University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $102,516 in 15 years versus 20 years at Western Oregon University, on median earnings of $55,204 vs $51,815 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWestern Oregon UniversityWarner Pacific University
Net price / yr$17,237$25,629
Total net cost$68,948$102,516
Median earnings, 10 yrs$51,815$55,204
Median debt$20,609$25,000
Payback20 yrs15 yrs
20-year net return$152$34,364

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

Which is cheaper, Western Oregon University or Warner Pacific University?

Western Oregon University, at $17,237 a year after aid versus $25,629 — a gap of $8,392 a year, or $33,568 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Western Oregon University or Warner Pacific University graduates earn more?

Warner Pacific University graduates report a median $55,204 ten years after entry, $3,389 more than the $51,815 at Western Oregon University. 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, Western Oregon University or Warner Pacific University?

Western Oregon University: its completers carry a median $20,609 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Warner Pacific University, a difference of $4,391. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Warner Pacific University, against 47% at Western Oregon University. 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.

Western Oregon University vs Warner Pacific University: frequently asked questions

Is Western Oregon University or Warner Pacific University a better value?
Warner Pacific University. It clears its $102,516 net cost in about 15 years versus 20 years at Western Oregon University, on median earnings of $55,204 vs $51,815 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Western Oregon University or Warner Pacific University?
Western Oregon University: $17,237/yr net price after aid versus $25,629/yr at Warner Pacific University — a difference of $8,392 a year, or about $33,568 over four years.
Do Western Oregon University or Warner Pacific University graduates earn more?
Warner Pacific University graduates earn a median $55,204 ten years after entry, versus $51,815 at Western Oregon University — a $3,389 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.