Lamar State College-Orange vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Baptist University comes closer — median earnings $44,644 against a $99,624 total, vs $36,587 at Lamar State College-Orange. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lamar State College-Orange | Arlington Baptist University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $1,655 | $24,906 |
| Total net cost | $6,620 | $99,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,587 | $44,644 |
| Median debt | $10,959 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$242,080 | -$173,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lamar State College-Orange or Arlington Baptist University?
Lamar State College-Orange, at $1,655 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $23,251 a year, or $93,004 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lamar State College-Orange or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $8,057 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, Lamar State College-Orange or Arlington Baptist University?
Lamar State College-Orange: its completers carry a median $10,959 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $16,041. 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 19% at Arlington Baptist University. 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.