Clark College
Clark College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Clark College at a Glance
Clark College is a public community college in Vancouver, Washington. With 11,500 students, Clark College is the largest institution of higher education in southwest Washington. Founded in 1933 as a private junior college, Clark College received its first accreditation in 1937 and has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1948. It was incorporated into the statewide community college system in 1967.
1933
93 years old
$83M
$83.35 million (2025)
11,500
101 acres
Identity
Is Clark College Worth It?
At a value score of 34/100, Clark College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $42,356 — 21% below average — while paying $11,465/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 37% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Clark College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Clark College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #144 of 223 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #144 | Clark College | 34 | $11,465 | $42,356 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Clark College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 21 in WA.
Best Programs at Clark College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Clark College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,465/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Vancouver, WA
- Student Body
- 4,945 students
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,465
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $42,356
- Median Student Debt
- $10,881