Green River College vs University of Washington-Seattle Campus
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Green River College Auburn, WA | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -112% | +512% |
| 10-year net gain | $-66,365 | $316,060 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $44,318 | $82,775 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | — | $57,538 |
| Average net price | $13,803 | $14,091 |
| Median debt | $11,891 | $14,615 |
| Break-even | — | 1.6 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 39% | 85% |
| Admission rate | — | 45% |
Green River College
Poor return
$-66,365 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Strong return
+$316,060 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.