LCCC Named Among Nation’s Most Affordable Colleges

Lorain County Community College is among the top 10% most affordable colleges in the nation, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center.

LCCC’s net price is calculated at $4,397, which includes tuition, books, fees, supplies and living expenses, minus grants and scholarships. This puts LCCC’s cost well below the national average net price of $13,065 for similar institutions.

“Higher education can transform lives, and cost should never be a barrier,” said LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D. “LCCC’s low tuition, strong student support, and hands-on earn and learn programs open the door for everyone to build a better future and achieve family-sustaining careers.”

Affordability at LCCC is further strengthened by robust financial aid and scholarship opportunities. In fact, 83% of students receive some form of assistance to help them complete their degrees. Many LCCC programs also offer paid work-based learning opportunities, giving students the chance to earn wages while gaining valuable on-the-job experience.

LCCC’s College Credit Plus program adds to the savings by allowing high school students to earn college credits at no cost. In 2024, 49% of Lorain County high school graduates earned an average of 22 LCCC credits before graduation, saving families more than $5.6 million in tuition.

These cost benefits combine with LCCC’s strong partnership with local employers, giving students a clear, adorable path to in-demand careers.

“At LCCC, we pair affordability with purpose,” Ballinger said. “By working closely with local employers, we tailor programs to meet workforce needs. This ensures our students gain the skills and experience to step directly into high-demand jobs, without taking on large amounts of debt.”

Once students are ready to take their education to the next level, LCCC’s University Partnership offers more than 100 bachelor’s and graduate degrees from 14 colleges and universities – a model that saves students an average of $74,000 on a bachelor’s degree.

The University Partnership allows students to take two to three years of coursework at LCCC and then finish upper-level courses through a partner institution, with classes available on the LCCC campus.

Though designated as a community college, LCCC appears on the four-year institution list due to its two bachelor of applied science degrees in Microelectronic Manufacturing and Smart Industrial Automated Systems Engineering Technology. These applied bachelor’s degrees are delivered entirely by LCCC at the college’s low tuition rate.

“At LCCC, we have taken the affordable community college model to the next level with our University Partnership and by delivering our own bachelor of applied science degrees,” Ballinger said. “Getting a quality education for a fulfilling career should be both accessible and affordable, and we make sure of that at LCCC.”

The College Affordability and Transparency Center was established to help prospective college students understand the true cost of higher education. Lists are updated annually using data reported by colleges to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

For more information on the tuition and affordability listings, visit http://collegecost.ed.gov/.

LCCC fall classes start August 25. To enroll, visit www.lorainccc.edu/enroll.