Lamar University
Lamar University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Lamar University at a Glance
Lamar University is a public university in Beaumont, Texas, United States. Lamar has been a member of the Texas State University System since 1995. It was the flagship institution of the former Lamar University System. As of the fall of 2024, the university enrollment was 17,850 students. Lamar University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and named for Mirabeau B. Lamar, the second president of the Republic of Texas.
1923
103 years old
$182M
$182 million ( FY 2024) (LU only) $1.41 billion (FY2024) (system-wide)
18,050
8,276 undergrad · 9,774 grad
419
299 acres
Identity
Is Lamar University Worth It?
Lamar University offers moderate value at $9,366/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $49,652, which is 8% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 37% 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.
How Lamar University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in TX
Ranked #47 of 180 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #47 | Lamar University | 49 | $9,366 | $49,652 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Lamar University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 23 in TX.
Best Programs at Lamar University
The highest-earning program at Lamar University is Mechanical Engineering at $68,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Communication and Media Studies at $25,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Lamar University earns $68,800, while a Communication and Media Studies graduate earns $25,000. 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: Mechanical Engineering graduates carry $21,250 in median debt vs. $26,376 for Communication and Media Studies.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,366/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | $68,800 | $68,800 | $21,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,600 | $68,600 | $18,447 |
| Chemical Engineering | $67,000 | $67,000 | N/A |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $58,800 | $58,800 | N/A |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $55,800 | $55,800 | N/A |
| Accounting and Related Services | $48,200 | $48,200 | $29,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $39,400 | $39,400 | $28,587 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $37,200 | $37,200 | $25,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $36,200 | $36,200 | $27,245 |
| Marketing | $35,100 | $35,100 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $35,000 | $35,000 | $23,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $33,000 | $33,000 | $31,332 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,900 | $30,900 | $26,547 |
| Psychology, General | $30,400 | $30,400 | $27,321 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $28,500 | $28,500 | $24,780 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $25,000 | $25,000 | $26,376 |
Similar Colleges in TX
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Beaumont, TX
- Student Body
- 8,150 students
- Admission Rate
- 86%
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,366
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $49,652
- Median Student Debt
- $21,250