At $36,084/yr net price, Lewis & Clark College graduates earn $62,205/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,205/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $36,084 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $144,336 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,205/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,205/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,251/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,137/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,542/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,183/yr |
| $110,001+ | $43,993/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law. | Doctoral | $55,512 | $149,506 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $48,432 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $47,260 | $119,806 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $46,254 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $36,848 | $24,125 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $36,848 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $34,704 | $20,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $31,133 | $23,250 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $30,119 | $24,250 |
The Risk Factor
71.2% of students at Lewis & Clark College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 29% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lewis & Clark College asks for $36,084 a year and returns median earnings of $62,205 a decade after enrollment. That gap is the core problem here: you pay private-college prices for outcomes that sit closer to average. The saving grace is debt. Graduates leave with a median of $19,500, low enough that the earnings still cover repayment without crushing you.
The program-level numbers are where things get worrying. Every top-earning bachelor's major listed here , political science, economics, communication, English, psychology , comes in under $37,000 in early-career pay. Economics and political science lead the pack but still start below $37,000, and economics carries the heaviest debt at $24,125. Psychology and English land at the bottom, pairing sub-$32,000 starting pay with debt above $23,000. If you major in one of these liberal arts fields expecting the salary to justify the sticker price, the early years will disappoint. Portland's job market leans tech, healthcare, and services, none of which these humanities and social science degrees feed directly.
The net price tiers reveal who this school actually works for. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $17,251, less than half the full rate. Above $110,000, you pay $43,993 with little discount. The middle tiers climb steeply, so a household at $75,000-$110,000 pays $31,183 and feels the squeeze most.
Lewis & Clark fits you if you land solid aid from a lower-income bracket and pick a field where the degree opens doors beyond starting salary. If you're a full-pay family or you need a major that pays quickly, look elsewhere. The 71% grad rate and 82% retention mean most who enroll finish, but finishing here does not guarantee strong early pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewis & Clark College worth the cost?
Lewis & Clark College costs $36,084 annually and graduates earn $62,205 ten years later, which is below average for a school at this price point. The 71% graduation rate and $19,500 median debt are reasonable, but the financial return doesn't justify the high cost for most students.
What are the best paying majors at Lewis & Clark College?
Law graduates from Lewis & Clark earn $55,512 annually, making it the highest-paying program. Education and counseling programs pay $46,000-$48,000, which is low considering the school's cost and may not provide adequate return on investment.
How much debt do Lewis & Clark College students graduate with?
Lewis & Clark graduates have a median debt of $19,500, which is manageable compared to many private colleges. However, given the modest post-graduation earnings of $62,205, even this debt level may strain budgets for graduates in lower-paying fields.
Does Lewis & Clark College have good financial aid?
With a net price of $36,084 after aid, Lewis & Clark provides some financial assistance but still remains expensive. The aid doesn't bring costs down enough to make the investment worthwhile for most students given the school's modest earnings outcomes.