Head-to-head · 2026
Lamar Community College vs University of Northern Colorado
Compare average net price ($9,161 at Lamar Community College; $17,760 at University of Northern Colorado), ROI score (10.57 vs 7.35), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,719 vs $52,231), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lamar Community College; 85.9% at University of Northern Colorado) 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 | University of Northern Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 10.57 ✓ | 7.35 |
| Avg net price | $9,161 ✓ | $17,760 |
| 4-year avg net price | $36,644 ✓ | $71,040 |
| In-state tuition | $4,550 | $12,416 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,260 | $27,266 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,719 | $52,231 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 85.9% |
| Graduation rate | 54.7% ✓ | 51.2% |
| Retention rate | 56.4% | 75.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,750 ✓ | $20,470 |
| Enrollment | 400 | 5,598 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1082 |
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 | University of Northern Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,513 ✓ | $12,695 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,163 ✓ | $13,290 |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,137 ✓ | $16,038 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,389 ✓ | $18,441 |
| Family income $110k+ | $17,711 ✓ | $24,306 |
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 | University of Northern Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 12% | 7.2% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.5% | 7.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 0.9% | 6.4% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 0.5% | 6.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lamar Community College reports the lower average net price by $8,599 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $34,396 difference over four years ($36,644 vs $71,040).
University of Northern Colorado reports $13,512 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($52,231 vs $38,719). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 56.4% at Lamar Community College and 75.9% at University of Northern Colorado. Median federal debt among completers is $8,750 vs $20,470, respectively.
4 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.
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Frequently asked
Lamar Community College vs University of Northern Colorado, 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 $17,760 at University of Northern Colorado. The annual difference of $8,599 adds up to about $34,396 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Northern Colorado reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $52,231 vs $38,719 at Lamar Community College. The gap in the federal data is $13,512. 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.