Lewis-Clark State College vs Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: 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 $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lewis-Clark State College | Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,635 | $20,033 |
| Total net cost | $62,540 | $80,132 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,001 | $26,323 |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$109,720 | -$520,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lewis-Clark State College or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?
Lewis-Clark State College, at $15,635 a year after aid versus $20,033 — a gap of $4,398 a year, or $17,592 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 Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
Lewis-Clark State College graduates report a median $46,001 ten years after entry, $19,678 more than the $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. 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 Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?
Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $18,500 at Lewis-Clark State College, a difference of $12,167. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology, against 40% at Lewis-Clark State 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.