Mt Hood Community College
Mt Hood Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Mt Hood Community College at a Glance
Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) is a public community college in Gresham, Oregon, United States, named after Mount Hood. Opened in 1966, MHCC enrolls around 30,000 students each year and offers classes at the 212-acre (86 ha) main campus in Gresham, as well as the Maywood Park Center in Portland, the Bruning Center for Allied Health Education, and at area public schools.
1966
60 years old
33,000
212 acres
Identity
Is Mt Hood Community College Worth It?
At a value score of 33/100, Mt Hood Community College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $41,125 — 24% below average — while paying $7,821/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 25% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 2 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 Mt Hood Community College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Mt Hood Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in OR
Ranked #136 of 210 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 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg | 97 | $1,807 | $35,171 |
| #136 | Mt Hood Community College | 33 | $7,821 | $41,125 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Mt Hood Community College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in OR.
Best Programs at Mt Hood Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Mt Hood Community 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 $7,821/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 OR
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Gresham, OR
- Student Body
- 3,856 students
- Graduation Rate
- 25%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $7,821
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,125
- Median Student Debt
- $13,667