Lewis and Clark Community College vs Chicago State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chicago State University comes closer — median earnings $42,778 against a $49,340 total, vs $37,724 at Lewis and Clark Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lewis and Clark Community College | Chicago State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,349 | $12,335 |
| Total net cost | $13,396 | $49,340 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,724 | $42,778 |
| Median debt | $6,751 | $30,625 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$226,116 | -$160,980 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lewis and Clark Community College or Chicago State University?
Lewis and Clark Community College, at $3,349 a year after aid versus $12,335 — a gap of $8,986 a year, or $35,944 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lewis and Clark Community College or Chicago State University graduates earn more?
Chicago State University graduates report a median $42,778 ten years after entry, $5,054 more than the $37,724 at Lewis and Clark 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, Lewis and Clark Community College or Chicago State University?
Lewis and Clark Community College: its completers carry a median $6,751 in federal loans versus $30,625 at Chicago State University, a difference of $23,874. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
44% of students finish at Lewis and Clark Community College, against 15% at Chicago State University. 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.