Lewis & Clark College
Lewis & Clark College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lewis & Clark College at a Glance
Lewis & Clark College is a private liberal arts college in Portland, Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1867 and is situated on the historic M. Lloyd Frank Estate in South Portland's Collins View neighborhood. It is composed of three distinct but adjacent campuses: the College of Arts & Sciences, the Graduate School of Education & Counseling, and the Law School. Lewis & Clark is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges with athletic programs competing in the National Collegiate Athletic…
1867
159 years old
$328M
$328.25 million (2025)
3,462
2,139 undergrad · 1,323 grad
414
137 acres
Identity
Is Lewis & Clark College Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Lewis & Clark College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $62,205 — 16% above average — while paying $36,013/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.3-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 73% graduation rate means roughly 27% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Lewis & Clark College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Lewis & Clark College compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #146 of 218 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 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #2 | University of Detroit Mercy | 79 | $15,232 | $71,030 |
| #3 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Holy Family University | 72 | $13,143 | $62,235 |
| #6 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #146 | Lewis & Clark College | 32 | $36,013 | $62,205 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Lewis & Clark College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in OR.
Best Programs at Lewis & Clark College
The highest-earning program at Lewis & Clark College is Communication and Media Studies at $34,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Fine and Studio Arts at $15,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Communication and Media Studies graduate from Lewis & Clark College earns $34,000, while a Fine and Studio Arts graduate earns $15,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Communication and Media Studies graduates carry $26,000 in median debt vs. $19,000 for Fine and Studio Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $36,013/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
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,000 | $34,000 | $26,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $21,000 |
| Economics | $29,200 | $29,200 | $23,792 |
| Psychology, General | $24,500 | $24,500 | $19,300 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $22,800 | $22,800 | $19,500 |
| History | $20,700 | $20,700 | $25,000 |
| Biology, General | $18,700 | $18,700 | $25,125 |
| Sociology | $16,600 | $16,600 | $19,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $15,300 | $15,300 | $19,000 |
Similar Colleges in OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Portland, OR
- Student Body
- 2,120 students
- Admission Rate
- 78%
- Graduation Rate
- 73%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $36,013
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,205
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500