At $12,832/yr net price, Lewis-Clark State College graduates earn $46,001/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,001/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,832 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $51,328 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,001/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,001/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,234/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,191/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,343/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,039/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,387/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. | Bachelor | $65,131 | $15,838 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $52,107 | $17,577 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor | $44,170 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,896 | $19,469 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $36,848 | $21,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $36,745 | $23,250 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $22,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $33,687 | $26,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $33,281 | $12,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor | $29,141 | $19,500 |
The Risk Factor
44.7% of students at Lewis-Clark 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
Lewis-Clark State College offers weak returns for most students, with median earnings of $46,001 ten years after graduation barely justifying the investment. The school's 44.7% graduation rate means more than half of students leave without a degree, making it a risky financial bet.
Nursing stands out as the clear financial winner at LCSC, with graduates earning $65,131 annually and carrying just $15,838 in debt. Allied health programs also deliver solid returns at $52,107. However, the popular liberal arts program leaves graduates earning only $36,848 while carrying $21,500 in debt, creating a poor value proposition.
The low retention rate of 64.14% signals academic struggles that increase your risk of dropping out without a degree. This compounds the financial risk since you'll still owe money without the earning potential a degree provides.
LCSC works financially if you can get into nursing or allied health programs and stay enrolled. The relatively low net price of $12,832 helps, but only if you actually graduate. Students interested in business or liberal arts face mediocre job prospects in the rural Idaho market, where fewer high-paying opportunities exist.
Only 24% of students receive financial aid, suggesting limited institutional support for affordability. Your best strategy involves targeting the high-ROI health programs or considering other schools entirely if your interests lie elsewhere. The combination of low graduation rates and weak earnings in most majors makes LCSC a poor choice for students who aren't committed to healthcare careers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewis-Clark State College worth the money?
Lewis-Clark State College offers decent value if you choose the right program, with nursing graduates earning $65,131 annually against relatively low debt of $18,500. However, the 44.7% graduation rate means many students leave without a degree, and liberal arts graduates earn just $36,848 ten years out.
What are the best paying majors at Lewis-Clark State College?
Nursing programs at Lewis-Clark State College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning $65,131 annually. Allied health fields follow at $52,107, while business and liberal arts majors earn significantly less at around $40,000-37,000.
How much debt do Lewis-Clark State College graduates have?
Lewis-Clark State College graduates carry a median debt of $18,500, which is manageable compared to national averages. This relatively low debt load helps improve the overall return on investment, especially for higher-earning nursing and health program graduates.
Does Lewis-Clark State College have a good graduation rate?
Lewis-Clark State College has a 44.7% graduation rate, meaning more than half of students who start don't finish their degree. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition and increases the risk of student debt without degree completion.