Degree Dividend
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Bucks County Community College vs Lackawanna College: which has better ROI?

Public, Newtown PA · vs · Private nonprofit, Scranton PA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bucks County Community College comes closer — median earnings $47,324 against a $12,778 total, vs $41,000 at Lackawanna College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBucks County Community CollegeLackawanna College
Net price / yr$6,389$19,951
Total net cost$12,778$39,902
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,324$41,000
Median debt$12,000$18,075
Payback
20-year net return-$33,498-$187,102

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

Which is cheaper, Bucks County Community College or Lackawanna College?

Bucks County Community College, at $6,389 a year after aid versus $19,951 — a gap of $13,562 a year, or $27,124 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bucks County Community College or Lackawanna College graduates earn more?

Bucks County Community College graduates report a median $47,324 ten years after entry, $6,324 more than the $41,000 at Lackawanna 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, Bucks County Community College or Lackawanna College?

Bucks County Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $18,075 at Lackawanna College, a difference of $6,075. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

37% of students finish at Lackawanna College, against 32% at Bucks County Community College. 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.

Bucks County Community College vs Lackawanna College: frequently asked questions

Is Bucks County Community College or Lackawanna College a better value?
Bucks County Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Bucks County Community College or Lackawanna College?
Bucks County Community College: $6,389/yr net price after aid versus $19,951/yr at Lackawanna College — a difference of $13,562 a year, or about $27,124 over four years.
Do Bucks County Community College or Lackawanna College graduates earn more?
Bucks County Community College graduates earn a median $47,324 ten years after entry, versus $41,000 at Lackawanna College — a $6,324 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.