Linn-Benton Community College vs Oregon State University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Linn-Benton Community College Albany, OR | Oregon State University Corvallis, OR | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -102% | +169% |
| 10-year net gain | $-27,975 | $145,861 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $44,949 | $68,201 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $43,496 | $45,456 |
| Average net price | $11,553 | $19,604 |
| Median debt | $11,961 | $21,221 |
| Break-even | — | 3.7 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 70% |
| Admission rate | — | 76% |
Linn-Benton Community College
Poor return
$-27,975 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Oregon State University
Strong return
+$145,861 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.