Connecticut State Community College vs Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Connecticut State Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,344 against a $23,026 total, vs $38,683 at Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Connecticut State Community College | Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,513 | $38,521 |
| Total net cost | $23,026 | $154,084 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,344 | $38,683 |
| Median debt | $9,200 | $11,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$163,346 | -$347,624 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Connecticut State Community College or Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton?
Connecticut State Community College, at $11,513 a year after aid versus $38,521 — a gap of $27,008 a year, or $131,058 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Connecticut State Community College or Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton graduates earn more?
Connecticut State Community College graduates report a median $41,344 ten years after entry, $2,661 more than the $38,683 at Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton. 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, Connecticut State Community College or Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton?
Connecticut State Community College: its completers carry a median $9,200 in federal loans versus $11,250 at Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton, a difference of $2,050. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Lincoln Technical Institute-Shelton, against 24% at Connecticut State 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.