Lamar University
#1 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas- Graduation Rate
- 37% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $49,652 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $9,366 B
- 45% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 28.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.1 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas.
Every $1 spent returns $28.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,014,226.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 22% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 37% — 35% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.90% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.2%
- Top 80%
- Patents
- 13
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
Why Lamar University Matters
Lamar University is a public doctoral / professional university in Beaumont, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Doctoral / Professional University
- Carnegie Class
- Doctoral/Professional
- Enrollment
- 8,150
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Lamar University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 86% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 930–1140. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,366 a year after grants and scholarships — 45% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $49,652 ten years after enrolling — 22% above the typical college, against $21,250 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 12% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.43 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 86%, Lamar University is a welcoming choice for students looking for a supportive environment. This public university in Beaumont, Texas, caters to those interested in practical fields like Business and Marketing, Health Professions, Engineering, Criminal Justice, and Visual & Performing Arts. If you’re someone who values community and a diverse range of programs, Lamar might feel like a good fit.
After graduation, the financial outlook looks encouraging for Lamar alumni, with a median earning of $49,652 a decade after completing their studies. This is a solid figure, especially when considering the cost of living in Texas. Many graduates find themselves moving up in their careers, which can be attributed to the hands-on experiences and connections made during their time at the university.
When it comes to the numbers that really matter, the cost of attending Lamar is manageable, with a net price of $9,366 after aid. The median debt of $21,250 is relatively low compared to national averages, making it easier for graduates to start their careers without being overwhelmed by student loans. Students who thrive here often appreciate the affordability and the practical skill sets they gain, which can lead to fulfilling careers.
Rankings
- #1 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Texas
- #1 Best Online Nursing Programs in Texas
- #1 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
- #2 Best Online Business Programs in Texas
- #5 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Engineering
- #5 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering
- #5 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering
- #5 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Civil Engineering
Can I Get In?
How selective Lamar University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lamar University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Beaumont, Texas, Lamar University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,061. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 62%
- SAT Average
- 1061
- ACT Midpoint
- 20
- SAT Range
- 930–1140
- ACT Range
- 18–25
- Full-Time Faculty
- 77%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $9,286
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 43%
- Applicants
- 6,214
- Admitted
- 5,203
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lamar University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lamar University is $18,745, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,366. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,568 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,250 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,905
- Out-of-State
- $18,745
- Avg Net Price
- $9,366
- Median Debt
- $21,250
- Pell Grant Rate
- 46%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 42%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,568
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $8,261
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,545
- Family Income $110K+
- $16,292
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lamar University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lamar University earn a median of $49,652, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,077
- 8 Years
- $46,481
- 10 Years
- $49,652
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.43x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (221)
- 16%
- 100% (221)
- 16%
- 100% (221)
- 16%
- 100% (221)
- 16%
How Lamar Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Lamar University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lamar University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,366/year ($37,464 total). Graduates earn $49,652 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,051,690 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,014,226 (28.1× your investment). The median debt is $21,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 37% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $37,464
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,051,690
- Net Return
- $1,014,226
- ROI Multiple
- 28.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,366
- Median Debt
- $21,250
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Lamar University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lamar University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.90%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.90%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.4%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 13.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $77,200
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
Lamar University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 13 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.17%
- Top 80% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 13
- Linked to graduates
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,656,791
- Investment Income
- $-3,214,739
Top Programs
The fields Lamar University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 17%
- Health Professions 11%
- Engineering 10%
- Criminal Justice 5%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
- Psychology 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lamar University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lamar University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Beaumont, Texas, Lamar University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,061. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lamar University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lamar University is $18,745, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,366. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,568 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,250 in federal student loans.
Is Lamar University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lamar University earn a median of $49,652, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Lamar University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Lamar University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.90%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 13.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $77,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Lamar University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lamar University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.43, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lamar University.
- Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi, TX · Close peer37% grad $51,865 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, MD · Close peer41% grad $50,698 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Texas A&M University-San AntonioSan Antonio, TX · Close peer35% grad $54,338 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids, MI · Close peer47% grad $54,735 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of Houston-DowntownHouston, TX · Close peer33% grad $53,551 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · Close peer43% grad $45,411 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lamar University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lamar University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.43, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note