At $24,617/yr net price, Lamson Institute graduates earn $38,015/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,015/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,617 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,468 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,015/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,015/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 24.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,853 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,537/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,379/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,074/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,342/yr |
| $110,001+ | $29,736/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $53,108 | $9,238 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $35,123 | $8,867 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $29,685 | $7,600 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $27,584 | $8,155 |
The Risk Factor
75.3% of students at Lamson Institute graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Lamson Institute costs about $24,600 a year and pays back a median $38,015 ten years out, which puts the return in mixed territory that leans weak. The saving grace is debt: a median of $7,853 is low, so you are unlikely to leave buried, and the 75% graduation rate means most people who start actually finish.
The financial split between programs is stark. The HVAC certificate is the one clear win here, with earnings in the low $50,000s that comfortably clear the roughly $9,000 in typical debt. Electrical installation lands in the mid $30,000s, which still beats the school's median. The health tracks, both administrative and medical assisting, sit under $30,000 and carry similar debt loads, so the math there is thin. If you enroll for a health program expecting a strong payoff, look closely, because those numbers barely move you past where you started.
The biggest risk is program choice. Every credential above is a certificate, not a degree, so your earnings depend almost entirely on which trade you pick. Choose HVAC and the return works. Choose a medical assisting track and you are paying near $25,000 a year to reach pay that many entry jobs offer without the tuition.
Net price barely bends for income. Families earning under $30,000 pay about $23,500, and those over $110,000 pay around $29,700, so lower-income families do not get the steep discount you might expect at other schools. That flat pricing means the cost stings most if you are coming in with little to spend.
This school fits you if you want the HVAC or electrical route and plan to work in the San Antonio trades market. If you are drawn to the health certificates, price out community college options first, because the payoff here does not justify the sticker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lamson Institute worth the cost for HVAC training?
Yes, Lamson Institute's HVAC program offers strong ROI with graduates earning $53,108 annually against relatively low debt of $7,853. The program cost is justified by above-average earnings in a stable trade field.
What is the average salary after graduating from Lamson Institute?
Lamson Institute graduates earn $38,015 on average 10 years after graduation. However, this varies significantly by program, with HVAC graduates earning $53,108 while medical assisting graduates earn only $27,584.
How much debt do Lamson Institute students typically have?
Lamson Institute students graduate with a median debt of $7,853, which is relatively manageable. The low debt load helps improve ROI, especially for higher-paying programs like HVAC and electrical work.
Are Lamson Institute's medical programs worth the investment?
Lamson Institute's medical programs show weaker ROI, with health administration graduates earning $29,685 and medical assisting graduates earning $27,584. These salaries may not justify the $24,617 annual cost for some students.