College of Southern Idaho vs Lewis-Clark State College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lewis-Clark State College comes closer — median earnings $46,001 against a $62,540 total, vs $40,916 at College of Southern Idaho. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Southern Idaho | Lewis-Clark State College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,095 | $15,635 |
| Total net cost | $12,190 | $62,540 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,916 | $46,001 |
| Median debt | $8,000 | $18,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$161,070 | -$109,720 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Southern Idaho or Lewis-Clark State College?
College of Southern Idaho, at $6,095 a year after aid versus $15,635 — a gap of $9,540 a year, or $50,350 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of Southern Idaho or Lewis-Clark State College graduates earn more?
Lewis-Clark State College graduates report a median $46,001 ten years after entry, $5,085 more than the $40,916 at College of Southern Idaho. 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, College of Southern Idaho or Lewis-Clark State College?
College of Southern Idaho: its completers carry a median $8,000 in federal loans versus $18,500 at Lewis-Clark State College, a difference of $10,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Lewis-Clark State College, against 33% at College of Southern Idaho. 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.