Sumner College
Sumner College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Sumner College at a Glance
Sumner College is a private for-profit nursing school in Portland, Oregon. It was founded in 1974.
Is Sumner College Worth It?
At a value score of 32/100, Sumner College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,639 — 13% below average — while paying $29,411/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.5-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
The 81% graduation rate means roughly 19% 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 Sumner College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Sumner College compares to peer for-profit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #5 of 25 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 | Center for Advanced Legal Studies | 62 | $13,959 | $56,561 |
| #2 | Concorde Career College-Aurora | 42 | $16,666 | $42,456 |
| #3 | Angeles College | 41 | $28,639 | $49,108 |
| #4 | Professional Skills Institute | 34 | $20,721 | $47,765 |
| #5 | Sumner College | 32 | $29,411 | $46,639 |
| #6 | InterCoast Colleges-West Covina | 30 | $27,536 | $36,089 |
Peer group: for-profit colleges within ±60% of Sumner College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Sumner College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Sumner 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 $29,411/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
- for-profit
- Location
- Portland, OR
- Student Body
- 532 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 81%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $29,411
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,639
- Median Student Debt
- $16,500