At $4,281/yr net price, Lewis and Clark Community College graduates earn $37,724/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,724/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,281 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $17,124 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,724/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,724/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,751 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $356/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $1,718/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,060/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,050/yr |
| $110,001+ | $7,867/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 | $51,392 | $8,055 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $49,527 | |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $48,432 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $36,042 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $31,133 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $27,126 | $7,500 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $22,503 | $6,500 |
The Risk Factor
47.8% of students at Lewis and Clark 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
Lewis and Clark Community College is a low-cost, low-debt option where your return depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The median graduate earns under $38,000 a decade out, so this is not a school that pays off on its name. It pays off if you leave with a credential that a local employer needs, and the gap between programs is wide.
Nursing is the clear winner. A nursing associate degree pushes your earnings past $51,000, roughly $17,000 a year more than the computer networking program at the bottom of the list. Dental support and the mining and petroleum technician track also clear $48,000, both tied to specific regional job demand. Legal support and computer networking sit far lower, close to or below the school-wide median, so those credentials do little to lift you above what you might earn without the degree.
The main financial risk here is the 48% graduation rate. Half of students do not finish, and a partial nursing program still costs you tuition and time without the license that makes the degree worth it. Debt is not the danger , the typical borrower leaves owing under $7,000. The danger is paying and not completing.
The net price tiers make this an easy call if your family earns under $48,000. You pay a few hundred dollars a year at the lowest income band and under $1,800 in the next. Middle and higher-income families pay more, up to around $8,000, which still keeps total cost low for a two-year credential.
Come here for nursing or a specific technician track with a job on the other side. If you want a general associate degree with no clear career target, the earnings numbers say the payoff is thin, and finishing is the hard part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewis and Clark Community College worth the money?
Lewis and Clark Community College offers solid value with a low net price of $4,281 annually and median debt of just $6,751. The nursing and dental programs show strong earning potential at around $50,000, though overall graduate earnings average $37,724 after 10 years.
What are the best paying programs at Lewis and Clark Community College?
Nursing programs lead earnings at Lewis and Clark Community College with graduates making around $51,000 annually. Dental support services and mining technologies also perform well at roughly $48,000-$49,000, while other programs like legal support and networking average in the mid-to-upper $30,000s.
How much debt do Lewis and Clark Community College graduates have?
Lewis and Clark Community College graduates carry relatively low debt loads with a median of $6,751. The low cost structure and community college pricing help keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year institutions.
What is the graduation rate at Lewis and Clark Community College?
Lewis and Clark Community College has a 47.8% graduation rate, which is typical for community colleges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing programs. The low cost and debt levels help offset the completion risk for most students.