Head-to-head · 2026
Columbia Gorge Community College vs Portland State University
Compare average net price ($10,416 at Columbia Gorge Community College; $9,552 at Portland State University), ROI score (10.67 vs 15.16), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,440 vs $57,906), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Columbia Gorge Community College; 90.9% at Portland State University) 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 Gorge Community College | Portland State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.67 | 15.16 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $10,416 | $9,552 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,664 | $38,208 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,940 | $11,679 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,260 | $31,074 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,440 | $57,906 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 90.9% |
| Graduation rate | 28.8% | 52.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 51.7% | 76.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,397 ✓ | $20,500 |
| Enrollment | 543 | 13,182 |
| 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 Gorge Community College | Portland State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,398 | $7,655 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | — | $7,752 |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,328 | $8,981 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | — | $12,993 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $19,112 |
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 Gorge Community College | Portland State University |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 67.9% | 3.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.5% | 5.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.5% | 5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.6% | 3.2% |
| Computer Science | 0.5% | 3.4% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 1.1% | 0.2% |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 0.5% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Portland State University reports the lower average net price by $864 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,456 difference over four years ($38,208 vs $41,664).
Portland State University reports $13,466 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($57,906 vs $44,440). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 51.7% at Columbia Gorge Community College and 76.1% at Portland State University. Median federal debt among completers is $19,397 vs $20,500, respectively.
7 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 Gorge Community College vs Portland State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Portland State University is cheaper — average net price $9,552 per year vs $10,416 at Columbia Gorge Community College. The annual difference of $864 adds up to about $3,456 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Portland State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $57,906 vs $44,440 at Columbia Gorge Community College. The gap in the federal data is $13,466. 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.