Head-to-head · 2026
Colorado School of Mines vs Lamar Community College
Compare average net price ($28,690 at Colorado School of Mines; $9,161 at Lamar Community College), ROI score (8.48 vs 10.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($97,335 vs $38,719), and admissions context (60.7% at Colorado School of Mines; 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 | Colorado School of Mines | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.48 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $28,690 | $9,161 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $114,760 | $36,644 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $21,914 | $4,550 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $45,824 | $7,260 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $97,335 ✓ | $38,719 |
| Acceptance rate | 60.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 81.7% ✓ | 54.7% |
| Retention rate | 92.8% ✓ | 56.4% |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,155 | 400 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1412 | — |
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 | Colorado School of Mines | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $16,849 | $7,513 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $18,162 | $8,163 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $22,192 | $10,137 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $28,183 | $12,389 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $35,112 | $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.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lamar Community College reports the lower average net price by $19,529 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $78,116 difference over four years ($36,644 vs $114,760).
Colorado School of Mines reports $58,616 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($97,335 vs $38,719). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 92.8% at Colorado School of Mines and 56.4% at Lamar Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $23,000 vs $8,750, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Colorado School of Mines 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 $28,690 at Colorado School of Mines. The annual difference of $19,529 adds up to about $78,116 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colorado School of Mines reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $97,335 vs $38,719 at Lamar Community College. The gap in the federal data is $58,616. 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.