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Head-to-head comparison

Lake Washington Institute of Technology vs Whitworth University: which has better ROI?

Public, Kirkland WA · vs · Private nonprofit, Spokane WA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Kirkland, WA

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Net price / year
$6,817
Earnings, 10 years
$50,669
Payback
11.8 yrs

Option B Spokane, WA

Whitworth University

Net price / year
$26,534
Earnings, 10 years
$58,561
Payback
10.4 yrs
The verdict

Whitworth University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $106,136 in 10.4 years versus 11.8 years at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $58,561 vs $50,669 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLake Washington Institute of TechnologyWhitworth University
Net price / yr$6,817$26,534
Total net cost$27,268$106,136
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,669$58,561
Median debt$15,047$25,000
Payback11.8 yrs10.4 yrs
20-year net return$18,912$97,884

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Whitworth University?

Lake Washington Institute of Technology, at $6,817 a year after aid versus $26,534 — a gap of $19,717 a year, or $78,868 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Whitworth University graduates earn more?

Whitworth University graduates report a median $58,561 ten years after entry, $7,892 more than the $50,669 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. 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.

The short answer

Which leaves students with less debt, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Whitworth University?

Lake Washington Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $15,047 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Whitworth University, a difference of $9,953. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at Whitworth University, 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.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology vs Whitworth University: frequently asked questions

Is Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Whitworth University a better value?
Whitworth University. It clears its $106,136 net cost in about 10.4 years versus 11.8 years at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $58,561 vs $50,669 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Whitworth University?
Lake Washington Institute of Technology: $6,817/yr net price after aid versus $26,534/yr at Whitworth University — a difference of $19,717 a year, or about $78,868 over four years.
Do Lake Washington Institute of Technology or Whitworth University graduates earn more?
Whitworth University graduates earn a median $58,561 ten years after entry, versus $50,669 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology — a $7,892 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.