At $10,989/yr net price, Lake Region State College graduates earn $49,502/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,502/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,989 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,956 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,502/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,502/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,293 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,663/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,867/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,297/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,438/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,249/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,776 | $13,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $50,606 | $4,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $43,798 | |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $38,289 | $9,490 |
The Risk Factor
50.6% of students at Lake Region State College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Lake Region State College gives you a solid return for a two-year public school. You leave with median debt near $10,000 and earn about $49,500 a decade later, so your borrowing stays well below what a single year of those earnings covers. That balance is the school's real strength.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate nursing program pays the most of any option and carries the highest debt at $13,000, but the earnings justify it. Criminal justice also pays off, and the certificate version is the smart play if you can get the same field for under $5,000 in debt instead of taking the longer associate route. Agricultural business and general liberal arts sit at the bottom near $38,000. Liberal arts especially is a risk: you take on close to $9,500 in debt for the lowest earnings on the list, which only makes sense if you plan to transfer to a four-year school.
The main risk is finishing. Roughly half of students don't graduate, and if you borrow but leave without a credential, you carry debt with no degree to pay for it. Pick a program with a clear payoff before you enroll.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $8,000 a year, which makes nursing or criminal justice a low-risk bet. Above $110,000, your price jumps past $14,000, more than double the lowest tier, so the value tightens for higher-income families paying near full cost for a transfer-oriented liberal arts track.
This school fits you if you want nursing, criminal justice, or a low-cost start toward a bachelor's degree in a rural North Dakota market. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal liberal arts degree and expect it to pay on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Region State College worth the cost?
Lake Region State College offers reasonable value with a low net price of $11,000 annually and modest debt loads around $10,000. However, the 50% graduation rate means half of students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who don't graduate.
What are the best paying programs at Lake Region State College?
Nursing programs at Lake Region State College provide the strongest ROI, with registered nursing graduates earning around $57,000 annually. Criminal justice and agricultural business programs offer more modest returns in the $38,000-$51,000 range.
How much debt do Lake Region State College graduates have?
Lake Region State College graduates carry relatively low debt with a median of $10,293. This manageable debt load helps offset the below-average earnings of $49,500 for most graduates.
Does Lake Region State College have good job outcomes?
Lake Region State College graduates earn $49,500 ten years after enrollment, which is below national averages for college graduates. The low cost helps, but earnings potential varies significantly by program choice.