Head-to-head · 2026
Clackamas Community College vs Columbia Gorge Community College
Compare average net price ($7,855 at Clackamas Community College; $10,416 at Columbia Gorge Community College), ROI score (13.65 vs 10.67), ten-year median earnings ($42,886 vs $44,440), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Clackamas Community College; Open / not reported at Columbia Gorge Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Clackamas Community College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Clackamas Community 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 | Clackamas Community College | Columbia Gorge Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 13.65 ✓ | 10.67 |
| Avg net price | $7,855 ✓ | $10,416 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,886 | $44,440 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 23% | 28.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,992 ✓ | $19,397 |
| Enrollment | 4,963 | 543 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Columbia Gorge Community College costs $2,561 more per year than Clackamas Community College ($10,416 vs $7,855). Columbia Gorge Community College graduates report $1,554 higher median earnings after ten years ($44,440 vs $42,886). On EduGradify's model that puts Clackamas Community College ahead on projected ROI (13.65 vs 10.67, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Clackamas Community 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
Clackamas Community College vs Columbia Gorge Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Clackamas Community College or Columbia Gorge Community College the better value?
Clackamas Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (13.65 vs 10.67), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Clackamas Community College is cheaper — average net price $7,855 per year vs $10,416 at Columbia Gorge Community College. The annual difference of $2,561 adds up to about $10,244 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia Gorge Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $44,440 vs $42,886 at Clackamas Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $1,554.
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. Clackamas Community College reports a A value grade; Columbia Gorge Community College reports B.

