Head-to-head · 2026
Bellevue College vs Lower Columbia College
Compare average net price ($11,430 at Bellevue College; $7,630 at Lower Columbia College), ROI score (12.32 vs 13.33), ten-year median earnings ($56,310 vs $40,691), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Bellevue College; Open / not reported at Lower Columbia College) using federal College Scorecard data. Lower Columbia College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Lower Columbia College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Bellevue College | Lower Columbia College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 12.32 | 13.33 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,430 | $7,630 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $56,310 ✓ | $40,691 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 35.8% ✓ | 23.4% |
| Median debt | $12,375 | $10,506 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 7,364 | 1,932 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Bellevue College costs $3,800 more per year than Lower Columbia College ($11,430 vs $7,630). Bellevue College graduates report $15,619 higher median earnings after ten years ($56,310 vs $40,691). On EduGradify's model that puts Lower Columbia College ahead on projected ROI (13.33 vs 12.32, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Lower Columbia College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Bellevue College vs Lower Columbia College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Bellevue College or Lower Columbia College the better value?
Lower Columbia College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (13.33 vs 12.32), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lower Columbia College is cheaper — average net price $7,630 per year vs $11,430 at Bellevue College. The annual difference of $3,800 adds up to about $15,200 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Bellevue College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $56,310 vs $40,691 at Lower Columbia College. The annual gap in the federal data is $15,619.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Bellevue College reports a A value grade; Lower Columbia College reports A.