Lamar University ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$34,760
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$12,077/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.9 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
595%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
Lamar University's in-state tuition costs $8690. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median of $56267. Five years after graduation, the median earnings are $47077, and ten years after graduation, the median earnings are $49652. The median debt for students is $21250, and 41.2% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings, is approximately 0.38. This indicates that the median debt is about 38% of the one-year earnings.
To calculate the break-even point, we can divide the median debt by the difference between the one-year earnings and the tuition cost. This calculation results in a break-even timeline of approximately 0.4 years.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$8,690
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,250
Median Earnings (5yr)
$47,077
Graduation Rate
37%
Receive Financial Aid
41%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | $87,873 | 2942% |
| Special Education and Teaching | $58,838 | 1272% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $80,368 | 2510% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $45,514 | 505% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,669 | 1204% |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | $58,775 | 1268% |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $58,380 | 1245% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $68,292 | 1816% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $43,525 | 391% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $55,999 | 1108% |
| Engineering, General | $0 | N/A |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $59,622 | 1317% |
Peer Comparison
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.