Lamar State College-Port Arthur 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 $37,120 at Lamar State College-Port Arthur. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lamar State College-Port Arthur | Arlington Baptist University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $2,846 | $24,906 |
| Total net cost | $11,384 | $99,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,120 | $44,644 |
| Median debt | $13,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$236,184 | -$173,944 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lamar State College-Port Arthur or Arlington Baptist University?
Lamar State College-Port Arthur, at $2,846 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $22,060 a year, or $88,240 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-Port Arthur or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $7,524 more than the $37,120 at Lamar State College-Port Arthur. 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-Port Arthur or Arlington Baptist University?
Lamar State College-Port Arthur: its completers carry a median $13,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $13,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
45% of students finish at Lamar State College-Port Arthur, 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.