Southern New Hampshire University vs Lakes Region Community College: which has better ROI?
Lakes Region Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $26,248 in 9.3 years versus 75 years at Southern New Hampshire University, on median earnings of $51,182 vs $50,318 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Southern New Hampshire University | Lakes Region Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,708 | $13,124 |
| Total net cost | $146,832 | $26,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,318 | $51,182 |
| Median debt | $21,082 | $18,525 |
| Payback | 75 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$107,672 | $30,192 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Southern New Hampshire University or Lakes Region Community College?
Lakes Region Community College, at $13,124 a year after aid versus $36,708 — a gap of $23,584 a year, or $120,584 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Southern New Hampshire University or Lakes Region Community College graduates earn more?
Lakes Region Community College graduates report a median $51,182 ten years after entry, $864 more than the $50,318 at Southern New Hampshire University. 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, Southern New Hampshire University or Lakes Region Community College?
Lakes Region Community College: its completers carry a median $18,525 in federal loans versus $21,082 at Southern New Hampshire University, a difference of $2,557. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
46% of students finish at Lakes Region Community College, against 43% at Southern New Hampshire 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.