At $4,887/yr net price, Lamar State College-Port Arthur graduates earn $37,120/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,120/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,887 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,548 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,120/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,120/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,572/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,937/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,828/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,837/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,136/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 | $15,750 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $30,554 | |
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
30.2% of students at Lamar State College-Port Arthur graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Lamar State College-Port Arthur costs little and pays back modestly, and the gap between its programs is what decides whether you come out ahead. At under $5,000 a year net and median debt of $13,250, the downside risk is small compared to a four-year school. But median earnings ten years out sit at $37,120, which is not much above what you might make without the credential, so the degree itself has to do real work.
Nursing is the reason to enroll here. The Registered Nursing associate degree leads to roughly $57,318, nearly double what the general Liberal Arts and Sciences associate pays and close to double the Practical Nursing certificate. That $57k line clears the school's debt load in a single year of earnings. If you finish the RN program and stay in the Port Arthur area's hospital and refinery-adjacent healthcare market, the math works strongly in your favor.
The other programs are where you should be cautious. Liberal Arts and Sciences pays around $25,000, and the Physical Science Technologies associate lands near $29,700. Those numbers barely move you past a high school baseline, and a Liberal Arts associate that you don't transfer into a bachelor's is a poor bet financially.
The 30% graduation rate is the real risk here. Low tuition only pays off if you finish, and most students don't. Borrowing $13,000 and leaving without the credential is the worst outcome this school produces.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $4,000 a year, and nursing makes this an easy financial choice. At incomes over $110,000 you pay closer to $9,100, still cheap. Enroll for RN or a certificate with a clear job at the end. Look elsewhere if you want a general associate with no transfer plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lamar State College-Port Arthur worth the cost?
At $4,887 per year, Lamar State College-Port Arthur offers affordable tuition, but graduates earn only $37,120 ten years later. The nursing programs justify the cost with $57,318 average earnings, while other programs struggle to provide strong returns.
What are the best paying programs at Lamar State College-Port Arthur?
Registered nursing graduates from Lamar State College-Port Arthur earn $57,318 on average, making it the clear winner for ROI. Practical nursing pays $30,554, while liberal arts graduates earn just $25,194.
How much debt do Lamar State College-Port Arthur students graduate with?
Typical graduates leave Lamar State College-Port Arthur with $13,250 in debt. With post-graduation earnings of $37,120, this creates a manageable debt-to-income ratio for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Lamar State College-Port Arthur?
Only 30.2% of students graduate from Lamar State College-Port Arthur. This low completion rate means many students accumulate debt without earning a credential, significantly increasing the financial risk.