Lewis-Clark State College vs College of Eastern Idaho: 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 $42,057 at College of Eastern Idaho. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lewis-Clark State College | College of Eastern Idaho |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,635 | $8,778 |
| Total net cost | $62,540 | $17,556 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,001 | $42,057 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $12,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$109,720 | -$143,616 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lewis-Clark State College or College of Eastern Idaho?
College of Eastern Idaho, at $8,778 a year after aid versus $15,635 — a gap of $6,857 a year, or $44,984 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-Clark State College or College of Eastern Idaho graduates earn more?
Lewis-Clark State College graduates report a median $46,001 ten years after entry, $3,944 more than the $42,057 at College of Eastern 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, Lewis-Clark State College or College of Eastern Idaho?
College of Eastern Idaho: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $18,500 at Lewis-Clark State College, a difference of $6,500. 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 39% at College of Eastern 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.