Lakes Region Community College vs University of New Hampshire at Manchester: which has better ROI?
University of New Hampshire at Manchester has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $39,968 in 2.2 years versus 9.3 years at Lakes Region Community College, on median earnings of $66,479 vs $51,182 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lakes Region Community College | University of New Hampshire at Manchester |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,124 | $9,992 |
| Total net cost | $26,248 | $39,968 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $51,182 | $66,479 |
| Median debt | $18,525 | $26,814 |
| Payback | 9.3 yrs | 2.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $30,192 | $322,412 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lakes Region Community College or University of New Hampshire at Manchester?
University of New Hampshire at Manchester, at $9,992 a year after aid versus $13,124 — a gap of $3,132 a year, or $13,720 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lakes Region Community College or University of New Hampshire at Manchester graduates earn more?
University of New Hampshire at Manchester graduates report a median $66,479 ten years after entry, $15,297 more than the $51,182 at Lakes Region Community 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, Lakes Region Community College or University of New Hampshire at Manchester?
Lakes Region Community College: its completers carry a median $18,525 in federal loans versus $26,814 at University of New Hampshire at Manchester, a difference of $8,289. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at University of New Hampshire at Manchester, against 46% at Lakes Region 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.