Head-to-head · 2026
Portland Community College vs Southwestern Oregon Community College
Compare average net price ($10,405 at Portland Community College; $8,527 at Southwestern Oregon Community College), ROI score (10.71 vs 11.24), ten-year median earnings ($44,592 vs $38,349), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Portland Community College; Open / not reported at Southwestern Oregon Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Southwestern Oregon Community College has a 4-1 metric-level edge. Southwestern Oregon 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 | Portland Community College | Southwestern Oregon Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 10.71 | 11.24 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,405 | $8,527 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $44,592 ✓ | $38,349 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 18.4% | 39.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,999 | $12,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 19,531 | 1,270 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 4 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Portland Community College costs $1,878 more per year than Southwestern Oregon Community College ($10,405 vs $8,527). Portland Community College graduates report $6,243 higher median earnings after ten years ($44,592 vs $38,349). On EduGradify's model that puts Southwestern Oregon Community College ahead on projected ROI (11.24 vs 10.71, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Southwestern Oregon 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
Portland Community College vs Southwestern Oregon Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Portland Community College or Southwestern Oregon Community College the better value?
Southwestern Oregon Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (11.24 vs 10.71), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southwestern Oregon Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,527 per year vs $10,405 at Portland Community College. The annual difference of $1,878 adds up to about $7,512 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Portland Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $44,592 vs $38,349 at Southwestern Oregon Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $6,243.
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. Portland Community College reports a A value grade; Southwestern Oregon Community College reports A.