Head-to-head · 2026
Community College of Denver vs Lamar Community College
Compare average net price ($9,450 at Community College of Denver; $9,161 at Lamar Community College), ROI score (10.34 vs 10.57), ten-year median earnings ($39,095 vs $38,719), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Community College of Denver; Open / not reported at Lamar Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Lamar Community College has a 4-1 metric-level edge. Lamar Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Community College of Denver | Lamar Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 10.34 | 10.57 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,450 | $9,161 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $39,095 ✓ | $38,719 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 20% | 54.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $12,495 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 5,096 | 400 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 4 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Community College of Denver costs $289 more per year than Lamar Community College ($9,450 vs $9,161). Community College of Denver graduates report $376 higher median earnings after ten years ($39,095 vs $38,719). On EduGradify's model that puts Lamar Community College ahead on projected ROI (10.57 vs 10.34, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Lamar Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Community College of Denver vs Lamar Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Community College of Denver or Lamar Community College the better value?
Lamar Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (10.57 vs 10.34), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lamar Community College is cheaper — average net price $9,161 per year vs $9,450 at Community College of Denver. The annual difference of $289 adds up to about $1,156 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Community College of Denver reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $39,095 vs $38,719 at Lamar Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $376.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Community College of Denver reports a B value grade; Lamar Community College reports B.