Beaumont, TX · Private University
Is Lamar University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$49,652
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,690
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,482
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$73,928
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.69x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
37.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,250
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,429
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Lamar University graduates earn $4,652 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Lamar University ranked by graduate earnings
35 graduates
85 graduates
32 graduates
204 graduates
37 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Lamar University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Lamar University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Chemical Engineering: $107,127) and the lowest (American Sign Language: $27,330) is $79,797/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical EngineeringBest ROI | $107,127 | 5.8x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,563 | 5.1x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $83,799 | 4.5x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $80,368 | 4.3x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $80,134 | 4.3x |
| Industrial Engineering(1yr data) | $62,053 | 3.4x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $56,053 | 3.0x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General(1yr data) | $54,531 | 3.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,420 | 2.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,559 | 2.7x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $50,224 | 2.7x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $49,841 | 2.7x |
| Music | $47,769 | 2.6x |
| Marketing | $47,361 | 2.6x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $47,072 | 2.5x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $45,514 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,170 | 2.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,525 | 2.4x |
| Biology, General | $42,320 | 2.3x |
| Psychology, General | $40,182 | 2.2x |
| Sociology(1yr data) | $38,042 | 2.1x |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | $37,736 | 2.0x |
| Social Work | $36,661 | 2.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $35,050 | 1.9x |
| American Sign LanguageLowest(1yr data) | $27,330 | 1.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Lamar University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $49,652 10 years after starting, $4,652 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5 years, faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to Lamar University?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.