University of New Hampshire-Main Campus vs Lakes Region Community College: which has better ROI?
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,220 in 5.3 years versus 9.3 years at Lakes Region Community College, on median earnings of $66,479 vs $51,182 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Lakes Region Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,805 | $13,124 |
| Total net cost | $95,220 | $26,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,479 | $51,182 |
| Median debt | $26,814 | $18,525 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $267,160 | $30,192 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Lakes Region Community College?
Lakes Region Community College, at $13,124 a year after aid versus $23,805 — a gap of $10,681 a year, or $68,972 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Lakes Region Community College graduates earn more?
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus graduates report a median $66,479 ten years after entry, $15,297 more than the $51,182 at Lakes Region 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, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Lakes Region Community College?
Lakes Region Community College: its completers carry a median $18,525 in federal loans versus $26,814 at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, a difference of $8,289. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, against 46% at Lakes Region Community 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.