Lewis & Clark College
Portland, Oregon · Private Nonprofit · 78.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 61/100 · Fair Value
Lewis & Clark College scores 61 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale, a number that masks a split profile: above-average completion and repayment rates but below-average earnings relative to the cost structure. Median 6-year earnings of $35,900 rising to $62,205 at 10 years reflect a student mix that leans heavily toward social sciences, environmental studies, and humanities -- fields with meaningful post-graduation wage growth but modest near-term earnings. The payback period of 10.4 years is long for a private college. Net price of $36,013 is high, though low-income families pay $15,962 -- a more manageable figure. The 75.4% completion rate and 87.2% repayment rate are genuine strengths that place Lewis & Clark above many peers in the same cost tier. Computer Science (18 graduates) is the highest-earning program at $66,653 year-one with a B-grade ROI. International Relations and National Security Studies shows $57,783 at four years. Communication, at $17,707 year-one and an F-grade ROI, is the clearest financial warning.
Lewis & Clark College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $64,828/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $64,828/yr |
| Average net price | $36,013/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $144,052 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,205 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $35,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 75.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,120 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Lewis & Clark College is $64,828/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $36,013/year, or roughly $144,052 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $15,962/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $44,990/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $207 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $62,205 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.54 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,962 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,362 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,712 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,917 |
| $110,001+ | $44,990 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $15,962 net per year at Lewis & Clark -- a meaningful figure for these families, but substantially below the $36,013 overall net price. Over four years, roughly $64,000 in costs is a genuine investment. For low-income students admitted to CS or International Relations, the case strengthens; for psychology or humanities tracks, the 10.4-year payback period requires careful thought. The repayment rate of 87.2% suggests graduates do manage loans, which is reassuring.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $22,712 per year, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $25,917. These figures represent mid-level private college costs. Families in this range face total four-year costs of $91,000-$104,000, which against $35,900 median 6-year earnings requires picking a program with above-average income trajectory. The school's environmental and social justice mission attracts students who may enter lower-paid public service careers; those students should model income-driven repayment from the start.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000 or more pay $44,990 net per year -- close to full cost. At $180,000 over four years, the investment case for Lewis & Clark at full pay rests on program fit, career specificity, and the Pacific Northwest location. CS graduates with strong technical skills can service this cost; humanities graduates need graduate school placement or specific employer pipelines to justify it. High-income families should compare Lewis & Clark against Reed College and University of Puget Sound on both outcomes and culture.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Lewis & Clark College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $55,288 | D |
| Biology | $49,503 | D |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $57,783 | B |
| Sociology and Anthropology | $52,622 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $39,705 | D |
| Economics | $81,567 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,026 | F |
| International Relations | $38,784 | - |
| Computer Science | $66,653 | B |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | $33,002 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Computer Science (18 graduates) earns $66,653 at year one, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.360 (ROI grade B). No four-year earnings data is available. Year-one earnings of $66,653 are strong -- well above the institutional median -- and the B grade reflects manageable debt of $24,000 against those earnings. CS at a liberal arts college typically produces graduates who combine technical skills with writing and critical reasoning, which some tech employers value in product management, technical writing, and engineering roles.
International Relations and National Security Studies
International Relations and National Security Studies (43 graduates) earns $57,783 at four years with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.398 (ROI grade B). Year-one earnings are not reported. The four-year figure is solid for this field -- Lewis & Clark's Portland location and Pacific Rim focus create pathways into government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, and export-focused industries. The B grade reflects that even with liberal arts debt levels, the earnings trajectory in this field is real.
Economics
Economics (25 graduates) earns $49,576 at year one and $81,567 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.509 (ROI grade C+). The four-year trajectory is strong. Year-one earnings are modest against $25,246 in median debt, creating a tight early-career window. Students who move into finance, consulting, or data roles after graduation will push toward the upper end; those who stay in lower-earning sectors will feel the debt pressure more acutely.
Psychology
Psychology (70 graduates) is Lewis & Clark's largest reported program and earns $26,790 at year one and $55,288 at year four, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.961 (ROI grade D). Year-one earnings of $26,790 against $25,745 in median debt -- effectively a 1:1 debt-to-year-one-earnings ratio -- is a difficult starting position. Most psychology graduates who achieve meaningful career earnings do so through graduate training. Students in this program at Lewis & Clark's price point should have a graduate school plan and understand the debt implications clearly.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 82.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 87.2% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 88.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 92.7% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 78.5% |
| Enrollment | 2,120 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,908 |
At 78.5% acceptance, Lewis & Clark is broadly accessible. No current SAT or ACT thresholds are reported in the Scorecard data. Admission is not the primary gating factor -- financial fit is. Net price drops meaningfully for low-income students ($15,962 per year), which improves the ROI case substantially at the lower end of the income spectrum. Students considering Lewis & Clark should prioritize the net price calculator and identify their program track before making a financial commitment.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Lewis & Clark's Scorecard peers include George Fox University, Susquehanna University, John Carroll University, and North Central College. Lewis & Clark (ROI 61) is in the Fair Value tier, above the typical outcome for pure liberal arts colleges at this price point, largely on the strength of its 75.4% completion rate and 87.2% repayment rate. The 10.4-year payback is longer than most peers at similar cost. Its distinctive Pacific Northwest identity and international focus are real differentiators for the right student -- but those are value factors the Scorecard data does not fully price.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis & Clark College (this school) | 61 | $36,013 | $62,205 |
| North Central College | 63 | $21,044 | $60,123 |
| John Carroll University | 61 | $28,746 | $62,860 |
| Susquehanna University | 61 | $28,819 | $61,723 |
| George Fox University | 57 | $31,679 | $59,761 |
| New Hope Christian College-Eugene | 22 | $21,600 | $31,115 |
Who Thrives Here
Lewis & Clark admits 78.5% of applicants with no published test score ranges in current data. Enrollment is 2,120 at a residential liberal arts campus in southwest Portland, Oregon. The campus culture centers on environmental stewardship, social justice, and international engagement -- consistent with the program mix. Pell grant rate of 20.3% is moderate. Students who thrive at Lewis & Clark tend to be intellectually engaged, comfortable with ambiguity about post-graduation careers, and oriented toward public service, law, nonprofit, or environmental fields. Students primarily optimizing near-term earnings should compare against Pacific Northwest public universities.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
Lewis & Clark College offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $36,013 per year leads to $144,052 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $62,205 a decade out. The payback period of 10.4 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Key strengths include a 75.4% graduation rate, high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost.
Median debt of $19,500 against $62,205 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.