Head-to-head · 2026
Central Oregon Community College vs Portland Community College
Compare average net price ($12,266 at Central Oregon Community College; $10,405 at Portland Community College), ROI score (7.94 vs 10.71), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,940 vs $44,592), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Oregon Community College; Open / not reported at Portland Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Central Oregon Community College | Portland Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.94 | 10.71 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $12,266 | $10,405 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $49,064 | $41,620 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,049 | $5,220 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,545 | $10,440 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,940 | $44,592 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 25.2% ✓ | 18.4% |
| Retention rate | 62.2% | 62.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $12,999 |
| Enrollment | 3,789 | 19,531 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Central Oregon Community College | Portland Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $8,888 ✓ | $8,937 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,620 | $9,229 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $13,827 | $11,327 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,005 | $14,102 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,265 | $15,868 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Central Oregon Community College | Portland Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 46.5% | 48.2% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 7.3% | 3.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.1% | 1.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.4% | 0.6% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 1.6% | 3.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.5% | 1.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.1% | 3.8% |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | 2.3% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Portland Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,861 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,444 difference over four years ($41,620 vs $49,064).
Portland Community College reports $5,652 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,592 vs $38,940). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.2% at Central Oregon Community College and 62.5% at Portland Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $12,000 vs $12,999, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Central Oregon Community College vs Portland Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Portland Community College is cheaper — average net price $10,405 per year vs $12,266 at Central Oregon Community College. The annual difference of $1,861 adds up to about $7,444 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Portland Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,592 vs $38,940 at Central Oregon Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,652. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.