Head-to-head · 2026
Lower Columbia College vs South Puget Sound Community College
Side-by-side ROI breakdown. 3 wins for Lower Columbia College, 2 for South Puget Sound Community College — Lower Columbia College has more metric-level advantages.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric, winner flagged
9 metrics, side by side. The colored cell wins. Green = lower-is-better wins, indigo = higher-is-better wins.
| Metric | Lower Columbia College | South Puget Sound Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 13.33 ✓ | 12.33 |
| Avg net price | $7,630 ✓ | $9,132 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $40,691 | $45,039 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 23.4% | 43.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,506 ✓ | $11,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,932 | 3,075 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Wins | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
South Puget Sound Community College costs $1,502 more per year than Lower Columbia College ($9,132 vs $7,630). South Puget Sound Community College graduates report $4,348 higher median earnings after ten years ($45,039 vs $40,691). On EduGradify's model that puts Lower Columbia College ahead on projected ROI (13.33 vs 12.33, 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
Lower Columbia College vs South Puget Sound Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Lower Columbia College or South Puget Sound Community College the better value?
Lower Columbia College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (13.33 vs 12.33), 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 $9,132 at South Puget Sound Community College. The annual difference of $1,502 adds up to about $6,008 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
South Puget Sound Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $45,039 vs $40,691 at Lower Columbia College. The annual gap in the federal data is $4,348.
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. Lower Columbia College reports a A value grade; South Puget Sound Community College reports A.