Green River College
Green River College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Green River College at a Glance
Green River College is a public community college in Auburn, Washington, United States. It has a student body of over 13,000 and has satellite campuses in nearby cities of Kent and Enumclaw, Washington. The college primarily awards associates degrees but also offers 9 bachelor's degrees.
1963
63 years old
8,477
Identity
Is Green River College Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Green River College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $50,712 — 6% below average — while paying $13,803/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 40% 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 Green River College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Green River College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #177 of 281 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #5 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #6 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #177 | Green River College | 37 | $13,803 | $50,712 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Green River College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 24 in WA.
Best Programs at Green River College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Green River 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 $13,803/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
- Auburn, WA
- Student Body
- 4,965 students
- Graduation Rate
- 40%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,803
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,712
- Median Student Debt
- $11,891