Head-to-head · 2026
Lakes Region Community College vs River Valley Community College
Compare average net price ($13,124 at Lakes Region Community College; $14,804 at River Valley Community College), ROI score (9.75 vs 7.55), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($51,182 vs $44,700), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lakes Region Community College; Open / not reported at River Valley 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 | Lakes Region Community College | River Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.75 ✓ | 7.55 |
| Avg net price | $13,124 ✓ | $14,804 |
| 4-year avg net price | $52,496 ✓ | $59,216 |
| In-state tuition | $6,720 | $6,940 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $14,970 | $15,190 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $51,182 ✓ | $44,700 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 46.2% ✓ | 21.9% |
| Retention rate | 55.8% ✓ | 41.4% |
| Median debt | $18,525 | $16,226 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 482 | 608 |
| 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 | Lakes Region Community College | River Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,270 ✓ | $13,183 |
| Family income $30–48k | $17,404 ✓ | $23,244 |
| Family income $48–75k | — | $23,244 |
| Family income $75–110k | $21,171 ✓ | $22,238 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,947 | — |
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 | Lakes Region Community College | River Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 13.5% | 19.7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 9.5% | 3.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.6% | 7.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.8% | 6.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.4% | 3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.6% | 2% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 0.8% | 2.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lakes Region Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,680 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,720 difference over four years ($52,496 vs $59,216).
Lakes Region Community College reports $6,482 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($51,182 vs $44,700). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 55.8% at Lakes Region Community College and 41.4% at River Valley Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $18,525 vs $16,226, 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
Lakes Region Community College vs River Valley Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lakes Region Community College is cheaper — average net price $13,124 per year vs $14,804 at River Valley Community College. The annual difference of $1,680 adds up to about $6,720 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Lakes Region Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $51,182 vs $44,700 at River Valley Community College. The gap in the federal data is $6,482. 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.