Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, Idaho · Public · 87.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 37/100 · Poor Value
Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, scores 37 out of 100, edging the top of the Poor Value tier. The strongest sub-score is debt-to-earnings at 63 (raw ratio 0.549, well below the 0.8 threshold that flags repayment trouble), driven by a low $18,500 median federal debt - one of the lowest debt loads in our public-college dataset. In-state tuition is $7,610 (out-of-state $22,028), and the net price of $15,635 is reasonable. The drag on the overall score is the 40.2% completion rate and the 18.4-year payback period. Median earnings 10 years after entry sit at $46,001, modest but consistent with the rural Northwest labor market the college serves. The 188-student-graduate Registered Nursing program is the standout: B+ ROI grade, $77,965 first-year earnings, 0.346 debt-to-earnings ratio. Outside nursing and allied health, programs cluster in the C/D range with workable but unspectacular outcomes. The combination of low debt, strong nursing pipeline, and reasonable in-state tuition makes this a more defensible choice than the headline ROI score suggests.
The data raises concerns about Lewis-Clark State College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score37/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period18.4 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Lewis-Clark State College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,610/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $22,028/yr |
| Average net price | $15,635/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $62,540 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,001 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $33,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $196 |
| Estimated payback period | 18.4 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 40.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,385 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Lewis-Clark State College is $7,610/year ($22,028/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $15,635/year, or roughly $62,540 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,080/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,004/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $196 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $46,001 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.55 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,080 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,044 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,127 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,934 |
| $110,001+ | $19,004 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-$30,000 pay $13,080 net price - the lowest tier. Pell and Idaho state grants close most of the gap on this already-modest sticker. With $46,001 in 10-year earnings and $18,500 in median debt, low-income students who complete the nursing or allied health programs come out clearly ahead. Liberal arts and humanities students should still budget conservatively given the 40% completion rate.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $14,044, and $48,001-$75,000 pays $15,127. Both are well below the published net price average and competitive with community college pathways. Middle-income Idaho families looking at four-year credentials in healthcare or education will find this one of the most affordable bachelor's options in the state.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $17,934 and $110,001+ pays $19,004. The aid model scales income-progressively without any inversions. Even at the top bracket, $19,004 net price is below most regional public alternatives. High-income Idaho residents looking for a small-college-feel public option will find LCSC genuinely affordable.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Lewis-Clark State College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $83,303 | B+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $57,599 | C |
| Social Work | $49,429 | D |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $71,701 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $57,214 | C |
| Teacher Education | $43,228 | C |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $58,327 | C |
| Psychology | $38,717 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,716 | C |
| Accounting | $59,869 | D |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
By far the dominant program with 188 graduates - more than three times any other major - this nursing program earns a B+ grade. First-year earnings of $77,965 climb to $83,303 by year four against $27,000 median debt and a 0.346 debt-to-earnings ratio. This is excellent ROI. Lewis-Clark's nursing program is the largest in Idaho by volume and feeds the regional St. Luke's, Tri-State, and Northwest Specialty health systems with a steady graduate pipeline. For students who can complete this program, this single major is reason to choose LCSC.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Thirty-one graduates earn a B grade. First-year earnings of $61,097 rise to $71,701 by year four with $23,810 median debt and a 0.39 ratio. Strong outcomes that mirror the nursing pipeline. Radiologic technology, sonography, and respiratory therapy roles are in structural demand across the rural Northwest, and LCSC's clinical placements are well-established.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Fifty-nine graduates earn a C grade. First-year earnings of $41,473 climb to $57,599 by year four against $26,000 median debt and a 0.627 ratio. Solid mid-tier business outcomes. The progression from $41K to $58K over three years suggests graduates are landing into real career-track roles in regional banking, manufacturing, and government.
Social Work
Forty graduates earn a D grade. First-year earnings of $35,456 rise to $49,429 by year four against $26,126 median debt and a 0.737 ratio. Social work is structurally low-paid; the four-year earnings progression to $49K is actually decent for the field. Students should plan for the MSW pathway and check Idaho's licensure structure - many roles require the master's.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Thirty graduates earn a C grade. First-year earnings of $33,176 climb to $57,214 by year four - one of the steeper earnings curves in the program mix. Median debt of $21,475 produces a 0.647 ratio. Many graduates likely advance into physical therapy, athletic training, or occupational therapy graduate programs; the four-year earnings number suggests the pipeline to advanced credentials is working.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 62.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 68.1% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 59.7% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 65.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 87.7% |
| Enrollment | 2,385 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 24.3% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,551 |
Lewis-Clark State admits 87.7% of applicants, making it broadly accessible. SAT and ACT mid-ranges are not reported. The 40.2% completion rate is the relevant fit signal: persistence is the binding constraint, not admissions. Idaho residents who enter prepared for the nursing or allied health pre-requisites can find a strong pathway here at one of the lowest costs in the Northwest. Less-prepared students should plan for academic support services and a realistic timeline to credential.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Lewis-Clark sits among regional Northwest publics. Boise State and Idaho State are the larger Idaho publics with broader program portfolios and slightly stronger completion rates. Southern Oregon University and Montana State University-Billings are the most direct peer regional comparisons - rural-serving publics with similar Pell rates and outcomes. SUNY Canton is included as a similar small-public technical-program model. Among this set, Lewis-Clark's nursing program is the strongest single asset, and its low median debt is competitive across the peer group.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis-Clark State College (this school) | 37 | $15,635 | $46,001 |
| Boise State University | 45 | $21,610 | $51,658 |
| Idaho State University | 38 | $12,193 | $45,608 |
| Southern Oregon University | 37 | $16,732 | $49,175 |
| SUNY College of Technology at Canton | 36 | $15,268 | $47,860 |
| Montana State University Billings | 34 | $16,524 | $44,296 |
Who Thrives Here
Lewis-Clark enrolls 2,385 students with a 24.3% Pell rate (notably lower Pell concentration than most schools in the Poor Value tier). The fit is clearest for Idaho and Washington residents pursuing nursing (188 graduates - by far the largest program), allied health, or teacher education. Out-of-state students paying $22,000 tuition should run the math carefully against in-state alternatives in their home state. Students who already work in the Lewiston-area healthcare or government sector and are using LCSC for credential completion get strong value.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Lewis-Clark State College. With a net cost of $15,635 per year and median graduate earnings of only $46,001 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 18.4 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and a 40.2% graduation rate and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $18,500 against $46,001 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.