Lewis-Clark State College
Lewis-Clark State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lewis-Clark State College at a Glance
Lewis-Clark State College is a public college in Lewiston, Idaho, United States. It was founded 133 years ago in 1893 and has an approximate annual enrollment of 3,600. The college offers more than 130 degrees.
1893
133 years old
4,046
46 acres
Identity
Is Lewis-Clark State College Worth It?
At a value score of 31/100, Lewis-Clark State College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $46,001 — 14% below average — while paying $15,635/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 43% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Lewis-Clark State College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Lewis-Clark State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #103 of 150 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #103 | Lewis-Clark State College | 31 | $15,635 | $46,001 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Lewis-Clark State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in ID.
Best Programs at Lewis-Clark State College
The highest-earning program at Lewis-Clark State College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $64,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Biology, General at $19,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Lewis-Clark State College earns $64,000, while a Biology, General graduate earns $19,700. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $13,910 in median debt vs. $22,625 for Biology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,635/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $64,000 | $64,000 | $13,910 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $38,300 | $38,300 | $21,350 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,400 | $37,400 | $17,108 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,800 | $34,800 | $24,089 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $32,300 | $32,300 | $19,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $31,200 | $31,200 | $28,750 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $29,900 | $29,900 | $19,500 |
| Social Work | $27,700 | $27,700 | $21,773 |
| Psychology, General | $23,600 | $23,600 | $26,750 |
| Biology, General | $19,700 | $19,700 | $22,625 |
Similar Colleges in ID
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lewiston, ID
- Student Body
- 2,385 students
- Admission Rate
- 88%
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,635
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,001
- Median Student Debt
- $18,500