Grays Harbor College
Grays Harbor College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Grays Harbor College at a Glance
Grays Harbor College is a public community college in Aberdeen, Washington, United States. Established in 1930, the college sits on a 120-acre (0.49 km2) campus overlooking the town of Aberdeen and its seaport on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. Additional "learning centers" are located in Raymond, Ilwaco, North Aberdeen, and Southside Aberdeen.
1930
96 years old
Is Grays Harbor College Worth It?
Grays Harbor College delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $4,783/year, it's priced 77% below average, while graduates go on to earn $40,865 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.5 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% 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: Grays Harbor College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Grays Harbor College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #7 of 78 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 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #4 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #5 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #6 | University of Minnesota-Morris | 90 | $8,837 | $50,919 |
| #7 | Grays Harbor College | 75 | $4,783 | $40,865 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Grays Harbor College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in WA.
Best Programs at Grays Harbor College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Grays Harbor 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 $4,783/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
- Aberdeen, WA
- Student Body
- 1,010 students
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $4,783
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,865
- Median Student Debt
- $11,075