Head-to-head · 2026
Lakeland Community College vs North Central State College
Compare average net price ($7,606 at Lakeland Community College; $4,687 at North Central State College), ROI score (13.02 vs 20.35), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,612 vs $38,158), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lakeland Community College; Open / not reported at North Central State 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 | Lakeland Community College | North Central State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.02 | 20.35 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $7,606 | $4,687 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $30,424 | $18,748 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $3,872 | $4,624 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,235 | $9,103 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,612 ✓ | $38,158 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 23.5% | 36.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 62.2% | 71.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,751 | $8,252 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,773 | 1,273 |
| 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 | Lakeland Community College | North Central State College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,977 | $3,344 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,333 | $2,087 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,506 | $5,076 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,631 | $7,753 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,028 | $7,248 ✓ |
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 | Lakeland Community College | North Central State College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 46.6% | 2.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 10.5% | 10.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.6% | 10.2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 6.1% | 6.1% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 0.5% | 11.1% |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians | 1% | 9.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.3% | 6.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.2% | 5.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
North Central State College reports the lower average net price by $2,919 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $11,676 difference over four years ($18,748 vs $30,424).
Lakeland Community College reports $1,454 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($39,612 vs $38,158). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.2% at Lakeland Community College and 71.4% at North Central State College. Median federal debt among completers is $14,751 vs $8,252, 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
Lakeland Community College vs North Central State College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
North Central State College is cheaper — average net price $4,687 per year vs $7,606 at Lakeland Community College. The annual difference of $2,919 adds up to about $11,676 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Lakeland Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $39,612 vs $38,158 at North Central State College. The gap in the federal data is $1,454. 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.