Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia Basin College vs Lower Columbia College
Compare average net price ($8,317 at Columbia Basin College; $7,630 at Lower Columbia College), ROI score (14.03 vs 13.33), ten-year median earnings ($46,680 vs $40,691), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Columbia Basin College; Open / not reported at Lower Columbia College) using federal College Scorecard data. Columbia Basin College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Columbia Basin 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 | Columbia Basin College | Lower Columbia College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 14.03 ✓ | 13.33 |
| Avg net price | $8,317 | $7,630 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $46,680 ✓ | $40,691 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 33.3% ✓ | 23.4% |
| Median debt | $14,829 | $10,506 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,640 | 1,932 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Columbia Basin College costs $687 more per year than Lower Columbia College ($8,317 vs $7,630). Columbia Basin College graduates report $5,989 higher median earnings after ten years ($46,680 vs $40,691). On EduGradify's model that puts Columbia Basin College ahead on projected ROI (14.03 vs 13.33, exceptional investment).
The pricier option (Columbia Basin College) still wins on return, because stronger graduate salaries outweigh its higher net price. 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
Columbia Basin College vs Lower Columbia College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Columbia Basin College or Lower Columbia College the better value?
Columbia Basin College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (14.03 vs 13.33), 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 $8,317 at Columbia Basin College. The annual difference of $687 adds up to about $2,748 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia Basin College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $46,680 vs $40,691 at Lower Columbia College. The annual gap in the federal data is $5,989.
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. Columbia Basin College reports a A value grade; Lower Columbia College reports A.