Pierce College District vs Western Washington University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Pierce College District Lakewood, WA | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +167% | +21% |
| 10-year net gain | $75,339 | $19,176 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $57,060 | $56,069 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $24,101 | $33,995 |
| Average net price | $10,222 | $21,193 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $18,500 |
| Break-even | 3.8 yrs | 8.3 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 31% | 65% |
| Admission rate | — | 93% |
Pierce College District
Strong return
+$75,339 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Western Washington University
Break-even
+$19,176 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.