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Lewis-Clark State College vs The College of Idaho: which has better ROI?

Public, Lewiston ID · vs · Private nonprofit, Caldwell ID

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

The College of Idaho has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $77,924 in 689.6 years versus not at all at Lewis-Clark State College, on median earnings of $48,473 vs $46,001 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLewis-Clark State CollegeThe College of Idaho
Net price / yr$15,635$19,481
Total net cost$62,540$77,924
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,001$48,473
Median debt$18,500$24,500
Payback—689.6 yrs
20-year net return-$109,720-$75,664

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Lewis-Clark State College or The College of Idaho?

Lewis-Clark State College, at $15,635 a year after aid versus $19,481 — a gap of $3,846 a year, or $15,384 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 The College of Idaho graduates earn more?

The College of Idaho graduates report a median $48,473 ten years after entry, $2,472 more than the $46,001 at Lewis-Clark State 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-Clark State College or The College of Idaho?

Lewis-Clark State College: its completers carry a median $18,500 in federal loans versus $24,500 at The College of Idaho, a difference of $6,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at The College of Idaho, 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.

Lewis-Clark State College vs The College of Idaho: frequently asked questions

Is Lewis-Clark State College or The College of Idaho a better value?
The College of Idaho. It clears its $77,924 net cost in about 689.6 years versus no clear payback at Lewis-Clark State College, on median earnings of $48,473 vs $46,001 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Lewis-Clark State College or The College of Idaho?
Lewis-Clark State College: $15,635/yr net price after aid versus $19,481/yr at The College of Idaho — a difference of $3,846 a year, or about $15,384 over four years.
Do Lewis-Clark State College or The College of Idaho graduates earn more?
The College of Idaho graduates earn a median $48,473 ten years after entry, versus $46,001 at Lewis-Clark State College — a $2,472 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.