Head-to-head · 2026
Delaware County Community College vs Lehigh Carbon Community College
Compare average net price ($6,576 at Delaware County Community College; $9,203 at Lehigh Carbon Community College), ROI score (17.26 vs 11.53), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,391 vs $42,436), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Delaware County Community College; Open / not reported at Lehigh Carbon 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 | Delaware County Community College | Lehigh Carbon Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.26 ✓ | 11.53 |
| Avg net price | $6,576 ✓ | $9,203 |
| 4-year avg net price | $26,304 ✓ | $36,812 |
| In-state tuition | $6,930 | $5,280 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,540 | $13,270 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,391 ✓ | $42,436 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 24.1% | 30.3% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59.5% ✓ | 59% |
| Median debt | $13,250 | $11,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 6,861 | 4,148 |
| 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 | Delaware County Community College | Lehigh Carbon Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,591 ✓ | $7,219 |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,075 ✓ | $7,820 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,770 ✓ | $9,908 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,918 ✓ | $13,079 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,603 ✓ | $14,702 |
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 | Delaware County Community College | Lehigh Carbon Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 14.4% | 15% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13.6% | 14.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.1% | 5.1% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 7% | 7.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 7.4% | 3.9% |
| Psychology, General | 4.8% | 3.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.3% | 3.1% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.7% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Delaware County Community College reports the lower average net price by $2,627 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $10,508 difference over four years ($26,304 vs $36,812).
Delaware County Community College reports $2,955 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($45,391 vs $42,436). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59.5% at Delaware County Community College and 59% at Lehigh Carbon Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $13,250 vs $11,000, respectively.
8 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
Delaware County Community College vs Lehigh Carbon Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Delaware County Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,576 per year vs $9,203 at Lehigh Carbon Community College. The annual difference of $2,627 adds up to about $10,508 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Delaware County Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $45,391 vs $42,436 at Lehigh Carbon Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,955. 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.