Head-to-head · 2026
Colorado State University-Fort Collins vs Lamar Community College
Compare average net price ($21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins; $9,161 at Lamar Community College), ROI score (7.11 vs 10.57), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($60,543 vs $38,719), and admissions context (88.5% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins; 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 State University-Fort Collins | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.11 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $21,279 | $9,161 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $85,116 | $36,644 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,373 | $4,550 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,783 | $7,260 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $60,543 ✓ | $38,719 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 66.5% ✓ | 54.7% |
| Retention rate | 85.9% ✓ | 56.4% |
| Median debt | $20,000 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 25,538 | 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 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,259 | $7,513 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,460 | $8,163 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,905 | $10,137 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,927 | $12,389 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $29,763 | $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 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.7% | 34.6% |
| Agricultural and Domestic Animal Services | 0.9% | 12.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.5% | 0.5% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 2.9% | 0.5% |
| Agricultural Business and Management | 0.7% | 1.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.4% | 0.9% |
| Marketing | 0.5% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lamar Community College reports the lower average net price by $12,118 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $48,472 difference over four years ($36,644 vs $85,116).
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports $21,824 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($60,543 vs $38,719). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 85.9% at Colorado State University-Fort Collins and 56.4% at Lamar Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $20,000 vs $8,750, respectively.
7 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
Colorado State University-Fort Collins 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 $21,279 at Colorado State University-Fort Collins. The annual difference of $12,118 adds up to about $48,472 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Colorado State University-Fort Collins reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $60,543 vs $38,719 at Lamar Community College. The gap in the federal data is $21,824. 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.