At $10,328/yr net price, Lamar Community College graduates earn $38,719/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,719/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,328 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $41,312 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,719/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,719/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,984/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,423/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,693/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,588/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,116/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 | $53,697 | |
| Construction Trades, General. | Associate | $26,353 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $18,771 | $7,892 |
The Risk Factor
41.4% of students at Lamar Community 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
Lamar Community College gives you a modest but real financial return, and which program you pick decides almost everything. With median debt of $8,750 against $38,719 in median earnings a decade out, the debt load stays low enough that you won't dig a deep hole here. The 41% graduation rate is the bigger risk: finishing is far from guaranteed, and a half-completed associate degree leaves you paying without the credential that lifts pay.
Nursing is the clear payoff. At $53,697, the associate nursing track more than doubles what the Liberal Arts and General Studies associate returns, and it clears the school-wide median by a wide margin. If you want your money back from Lamar, this is the program to target, and rural Colorado hospitals and clinics keep demand for nurses steady.
Construction Trades sits in the middle at $26,353, which works if you're heading straight into regional building and ranch-adjacent trade work. The Liberal Arts and General Studies associate is the weak spot at $18,771, below what many jobs pay without any degree. Treat that program as a transfer step toward a four-year school, not an endpoint, or the tuition won't earn itself back.
The net price tiers here run backward from what you'd expect. If your family earns under $48k, you pay less than $9,000 a year, the cheapest tier. Cross $75k and your price jumps to $14,588, then over $18,000 above $110k. So Lamar is a strong value if you're lower income, and a weaker deal if your family earns more and you're paying near-full price for a degree with a $38,719 median.
Come here for nursing, or as a cheap transfer launch if you're lower income. Look elsewhere if you'd pay the top tier for a general studies associate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lamar Community College worth the cost?
Lamar Community College offers reasonable value with a net price of $10,328 and low median debt of $8,750. However, the 41% graduation rate is concerning, and average earnings of $38,719 after 10 years may not justify the cost for all programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Lamar Community College?
Nursing programs at Lamar Community College lead to the highest earnings at $53,697 annually, making them the clear best ROI option. Construction trades graduates earn $26,353, while liberal arts graduates average only $18,771.
How much debt do Lamar Community College students typically graduate with?
Lamar Community College graduates carry a median debt of $8,750, which is relatively low for higher education. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall return on investment, especially for higher-paying programs like nursing.
What is the graduation rate at Lamar Community College?
Only 41% of students graduate from Lamar Community College, which means most students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate significantly reduces the school's value proposition and increases the risk of debt without a degree.