Clackamas Community College vs Portland Community College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Clackamas Community College Oregon City, OR | Portland Community College Portland, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -64% | +153% |
| 10-year net gain | $-12,890 | $39,103 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $45,719 | $51,465 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $31,280 | $45,528 |
| Average net price | $7,855 | $10,405 |
| Median debt | $11,992 | $12,999 |
| Break-even | 27.9 yrs | 4 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | — |
| Admission rate | — | — |
Clackamas Community College
Poor return
$-12,890 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Portland Community College
Strong return
+$39,103 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.