Fort Lewis College vs Adams State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fort Lewis College comes closer — median earnings $46,349 against a $69,184 total, vs $44,372 at Adams State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Fort Lewis College | Adams State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,296 | $12,980 |
| Total net cost | $69,184 | $51,920 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,349 | $44,372 |
| Median debt | $18,389 | $19,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$109,404 | -$131,680 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Fort Lewis College or Adams State University?
Adams State University, at $12,980 a year after aid versus $17,296 — a gap of $4,316 a year, or $17,264 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Fort Lewis College or Adams State University graduates earn more?
Fort Lewis College graduates report a median $46,349 ten years after entry, $1,977 more than the $44,372 at Adams State University. 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, Fort Lewis College or Adams State University?
Fort Lewis College: its completers carry a median $18,389 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Adams State University, a difference of $1,111. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
39% of students finish at Adams State University, against 36% at Fort Lewis 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.