Head-to-head · 2026
Adams State University vs Lamar Community College
Compare average net price ($12,980 at Adams State University; $9,161 at Lamar Community College), ROI score (8.55 vs 10.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($44,372 vs $38,719), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Adams State University; Open / not reported at Lamar Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Adams State University | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.55 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $12,980 | $9,161 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $51,920 | $36,644 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $9,824 | $4,550 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $21,944 | $7,260 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $44,372 ✓ | $38,719 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 39.4% | 54.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 50.7% | 56.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,250 | 400 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Adams State University | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $9,947 | $7,513 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,392 | $8,163 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $11,921 | $10,137 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,787 | $12,389 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,274 | $17,711 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Adams State University | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 25.9% | 34.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1.4% | 12% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 6.3% | 0.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 5.3% | 0.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lamar Community College reports the lower average net price by $3,819 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,276 difference over four years ($36,644 vs $51,920).
Adams State University reports $5,653 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($44,372 vs $38,719). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 50.7% at Adams State University and 56.4% at Lamar Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $8,750, respectively.
5 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Adams State University vs Lamar Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lamar Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,161 per year vs $12,980 at Adams State University. The annual difference of $3,819 adds up to about $15,276 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Adams State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $44,372 vs $38,719 at Lamar Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,653. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.