Portland, OR · Private University
Is Lewis & Clark College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,205
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$62,350
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$62,350
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$249,400
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.00x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
9.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
71.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$19,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$36,084
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Lewis & Clark College graduates earn $17,205 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Lewis & Clark College ranked by graduate earnings
18 graduates
27 graduates
19 graduates
62 graduates
28 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Lewis & Clark College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Lewis & Clark College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $66,653) and the lowest (Sociology and Anthropology: $24,098) is $42,555/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI(1yr data) | $66,653 | 1.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,385 | 0.9x |
| Economics | $52,177 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $48,023 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $40,001 | 0.6x |
| Political Science and Government(1yr data) | $38,784 | 0.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $37,666 | 0.6x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $33,002 | 0.5x |
| Sociology and AnthropologyLowest(1yr data) | $24,098 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis & Clark College | 1.00x | $62,205 | Below Average |
| University of Puget Sound | 1.16x | $69,594 | Average ROI |
| Seattle University | 1.39x | $75,272 | Average ROI |
| Willamette University | 1.18x | $56,911 | Average ROI |
| Gonzaga University | 1.48x | $78,892 | Average ROI |
| Whitworth University | 1.15x | $58,561 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
Lewis & Clark College carries higher costs relative to graduate earnings, warranting careful consideration. Graduates earn $62,205 10 years after starting, $17,205 above the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 9.2 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.