Head-to-head comparison
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus vs Lakes Region Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Durham, NH
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
- Net price / year
- $23,805
- Earnings, 10 years
- $66,479
- Payback
- 5.3 yrs
Option B Laconia, NH
Lakes Region Community College
- Net price / year
- $13,124
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,182
- Payback
- 9.3 yrs
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $95,220 in 5.3 years versus 9.3 years at Lakes Region Community College, on median earnings of $66,479 vs $51,182 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | Lakes Region Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,805 | $13,124 |
| Total net cost | $95,220 | $26,248 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $66,479 | $51,182 |
| Median debt | $26,814 | $18,525 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 9.3 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $267,160 | $30,192 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Lakes Region Community College?
Lakes Region Community College, at $13,124 a year after aid versus $23,805 — a gap of $10,681 a year, or $68,972 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Lakes Region Community College graduates earn more?
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus graduates report a median $66,479 ten years after entry, $15,297 more than the $51,182 at Lakes Region Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of New Hampshire-Main Campus or Lakes Region Community College?
Lakes Region Community College: its completers carry a median $18,525 in federal loans versus $26,814 at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, a difference of $8,289. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
76% of students finish at University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, against 46% at Lakes Region Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.