Lamar State College-Orange: $2,832 Tuition

$2,832Tuition

1,426Students

31%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,587Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Lamar State College-Orange

Lamar State College-Orange serves 1,426 students in the heart of Southeast Texas's industrial corridor. This community college has built its reputation around technical programs and workforce training that connect directly to the region's petrochemical and manufacturing industries. The college draws 95.54% of its students from Texas, creating a tight-knit campus where local connections matter.

Students pay remarkably little for their education here. The average net price sits at just $1,691, making this one of the most affordable pathways to career training in Texas. Low-income families pay only $560 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $36,587 ten years after enrollment, while carrying just $10,959 in debt with monthly payments of $116. The college delivers strong value for students seeking practical skills without crushing debt loads.

Women make up 68.23% of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare and service programs alongside traditional technical fields. The employment rate reaches 94.3%, showing employers value the hands-on training students receive. With a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay manageable even as instructors focus on getting students job-ready quickly rather than traditional academic pursuits.

Academics & Faculty

Lamar State College-Orange focuses on technical programs and workforce training that prepare students for Southeast Texas industries. The college serves 1,426 students with a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, which means larger class sizes typical of community colleges but still allows for hands-on learning in lab-based programs. With a 31% graduation rate, the school reflects the community college model where many students transfer before completing degrees or attend part-time while working. The college emphasizes practical skills training in areas like industrial technology, process operations, and health sciences that align with the region's petrochemical and healthcare sectors. Students benefit from direct pathways to local employment opportunities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23:1
Full-Time Faculty: 54.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 31.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,587

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$65,765
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$56,415
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$36,668
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Certificate	$28,055

View all 29 programs →

Campus Life

Orange sits 20 miles from Beaumont in the heart of Texas's petrochemical corridor. The campus serves a working community where 68% of students are women, many balancing school with jobs in nearby refineries and plants. With 1,426 students spread across technical programs, you'll find small classes despite the 23:1 student-faculty ratio.

The humid subtropical climate means shorts and air conditioning dominate most of the year. Winter rarely requires more than a light jacket. As a commuter school with 95% in-state students, campus empties after classes end. Most students work part-time jobs while attending, reflected in the strong 94% employment rate after graduation. Weekend social life centers around nearby Beaumont or Lake Charles, Louisiana, just 30 minutes away. The Sabine River provides fishing and boating opportunities year-round. Students often gather at local barbecue joints or head to the coast at Sabine Pass. With average debt of just $10,959 and monthly payments around $116, graduates typically stay in the region's thriving industrial economy.

Setting: Town-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Stalking	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 40°–60°F
July Avg: 72°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 64.4"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

This Southeast Texas community college draws overwhelmingly from the local region, with 96% of students coming from in-state. Women make up more than two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the school's strong programs in healthcare and education that traditionally attract female students. The campus serves a diverse working-class population across racial lines. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, indicating the college fulfills its mission of providing affordable technical training to local families seeking career advancement in the industrial Gulf Coast region.

Men: 31.8%
Women: 68.2%
White: 66.1%
Black: 19.0%
Hispanic: 11.1%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 95.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 24.3%

Location

Orange sits in Southeast Texas near the Louisiana border, about 100 miles east of Houston. The town of roughly 19,000 residents anchors the Golden Triangle region alongside Beaumont and Port Arthur. Nearly 96% of students come from within Texas, reflecting the college's deep local roots. Orange's economy centers on petrochemicals and shipbuilding, with major refineries dotting the landscape along the Sabine River. The area blends industrial heritage with Cajun cultural influences from neighboring Louisiana. Students find affordable living costs that help keep the net price around $1,691 for most families. The Gulf Coast location means humid summers and mild winters typical of the region. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare Lamar State College-Orange with similar schools in the region.

Address: Orange, Texas 77630

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,587
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,340
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $31,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 40.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $116/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,959

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Lamar State College-Orange?

This community college maintains an open admission policy typical of two-year institutions in Texas. With 1,426 students enrolled, LSC-Orange welcomes students looking to start their college journey or gain technical skills for the workforce. The college primarily serves local residents, with 95.54% of students coming from Texas.

How much does Lamar State College-Orange cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of just $1,691 after aid, making this one of the most affordable college options in Texas. In-state tuition runs $2,832 annually, but families earning under $30,000 pay only $560 on average. The low costs reflect the college's mission to provide accessible education to working-class communities in Southeast Texas.

What academic programs is Lamar State College-Orange known for?

The college specializes in technical programs and workforce training designed to meet local industry needs. With a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, classes remain small enough for hands-on learning in fields like manufacturing and healthcare. Women make up 68.23% of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in nursing and allied health programs.

What career outcomes do graduates from Lamar State College-Orange achieve?

Graduates earn a median salary of $36,587 ten years after starting college, with an impressive 94.3% employment rate. The college's focus on practical skills training shows in these solid job placement numbers. Those who borrow graduate with a manageable median debt of $10,959, requiring monthly payments of around $116.

Where is Lamar State College-Orange located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Orange, Texas, a town-fringe setting near the Louisiana border in the heart of petrochemical country. With only 1,426 students, this creates an intimate learning environment where students know their professors personally. The student body reflects the local community's diversity, with 66.13% white, 19% Black, and 11.08% Hispanic students.

How does Lamar State College-Orange support students financially?

Only 24.27% of students receive federal financial aid, suggesting many can afford the low tuition without borrowing. Just 11.78% take out federal loans, well below national averages for community colleges. The college awards institutional grants averaging $5,241 to 7.92% of students, though most benefit from the rock-bottom sticker price.