Lake Washington Institute of Technology vs Renton Technical College: which has better ROI?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $27,268 in 11.8 years versus 23.3 years at Renton Technical College, on median earnings of $50,669 vs $49,782 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | Renton Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,817 | $8,296 |
| Total net cost | $27,268 | $33,184 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,669 | $49,782 |
| Median debt | $15,047 | $7,920 |
| Payback | 11.8 yrs | 23.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $18,912 | -$4,744 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Renton Technical College?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, at $6,817 a year after aid versus $8,296 — a gap of $1,479 a year, or $5,916 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Renton Technical College graduates earn more?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology graduates report a median $50,669 ten years after entry, $887 more than the $49,782 at Renton Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Renton Technical College?
Renton Technical College: its completers carry a median $7,920 in federal loans versus $15,047 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, a difference of $7,127. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at Renton Technical College, against 37% at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.