Head-to-head · 2026
Lamar Community College vs Metropolitan State University of Denver
Compare average net price ($9,161 at Lamar Community College; $15,327 at Metropolitan State University of Denver), ROI score (10.57 vs 8.50), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,719 vs $52,093), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lamar Community College; 98.8% at Metropolitan State University of Denver) 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 | Lamar Community College | Metropolitan State University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.57 ✓ | 8.50 |
| Avg net price | $9,161 ✓ | $15,327 |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,644 ✓ | $61,308 |
| In-state tuition | $4,550 | $11,124 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,260 | $30,684 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,719 | $52,093 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 98.8% |
| Graduation rate | 54.7% ✓ | 31.5% |
| Retention rate | 56.4% | 62.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,750 ✓ | $21,500 |
| Enrollment | 400 | 15,002 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1019 |
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 | Lamar Community College | Metropolitan State University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,513 ✓ | $12,481 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,163 ✓ | $12,436 |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,137 ✓ | $14,927 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,389 ✓ | $19,539 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,711 ✓ | $23,822 |
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 | Lamar Community College | Metropolitan State University of Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 12% | 2.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.5% | 5.9% |
| Marketing | 0.5% | 2.9% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 0.5% | 2.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.9% | 2.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lamar Community College reports the lower average net price by $6,166 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $24,664 difference over four years ($36,644 vs $61,308).
Metropolitan State University of Denver reports $13,374 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($52,093 vs $38,719). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.4% at Lamar Community College and 62.9% at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Median federal debt among completers is $8,750 vs $21,500, respectively.
5 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
Lamar Community College vs Metropolitan State University of Denver, 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 $15,327 at Metropolitan State University of Denver. The annual difference of $6,166 adds up to about $24,664 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Metropolitan State University of Denver reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $52,093 vs $38,719 at Lamar Community College. The gap in the federal data is $13,374. 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.