Amarillo College vs Lamar State College-Orange: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Amarillo College comes closer — median earnings $41,302 against a $9,200 total, vs $36,587 at Lamar State College-Orange. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Amarillo College | Lamar State College-Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,600 | $1,655 |
| Total net cost | $9,200 | $6,620 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,302 | $36,587 |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $10,959 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$150,360 | -$242,080 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Amarillo College or Lamar State College-Orange?
Lamar State College-Orange, at $1,655 a year after aid versus $4,600 — a gap of $2,945 a year, or $2,580 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Amarillo College or Lamar State College-Orange graduates earn more?
Amarillo College graduates report a median $41,302 ten years after entry, $4,715 more than the $36,587 at Lamar State College-Orange. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Amarillo College or Lamar State College-Orange?
Lamar State College-Orange: its completers carry a median $10,959 in federal loans versus $15,000 at Amarillo College, a difference of $4,041. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at Lamar State College-Orange, against 32% at Amarillo College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.