Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia Basin College vs Skagit Valley College
Compare average net price ($8,317 at Columbia Basin College; $6,064 at Skagit Valley College), ROI score (14.03 vs 17.94), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,680 vs $43,505), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Columbia Basin College; Open / not reported at Skagit Valley 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 | Columbia Basin College | Skagit Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 14.03 | 17.94 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,317 | $6,064 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,268 | $24,256 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,555 | $5,400 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,668 | $7,500 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,680 ✓ | $43,505 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 33.3% | 36.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | — | — |
| Median debt | $14,829 | $13,805 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,640 | 2,477 |
| 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 | Columbia Basin College | Skagit Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,010 | $4,337 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,642 | $5,476 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,595 | $7,109 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $11,019 | $7,773 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,228 | $14,102 ✓ |
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 | Columbia Basin College | Skagit Valley College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 54.9% | 33% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.8% | 9.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.8% | 7.4% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 1.3% | 10.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.3% | 1.5% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 1.4% | 6% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 1.1% | 3.1% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 1.3% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Skagit Valley College reports the lower average net price by $2,253 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,012 difference over four years ($24,256 vs $33,268).
Columbia Basin College reports $3,175 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,680 vs $43,505). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
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
Columbia Basin College vs Skagit Valley College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Skagit Valley College is cheaper — average net price $6,064 per year vs $8,317 at Columbia Basin College. The annual difference of $2,253 adds up to about $9,012 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Columbia Basin College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,680 vs $43,505 at Skagit Valley College. The gap in the federal data is $3,175. 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.