Lamar University vs Lamar Institute of Technology: which has better ROI?
Lamar University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,464 in 29 years versus not at all at Lamar Institute of Technology, on median earnings of $49,652 vs $38,991 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lamar University | Lamar Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,366 | $13,866 |
| Total net cost | $37,464 | $55,464 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,652 | $38,991 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $13,076 |
| Payback | 29 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$11,624 | -$242,844 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lamar University or Lamar Institute of Technology?
Lamar University, at $9,366 a year after aid versus $13,866 — a gap of $4,500 a year, or $18,000 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 University or Lamar Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Lamar University graduates report a median $49,652 ten years after entry, $10,661 more than the $38,991 at Lamar Institute of Technology. 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 University or Lamar Institute of Technology?
Lamar Institute of Technology: its completers carry a median $13,076 in federal loans versus $21,250 at Lamar University, a difference of $8,174. 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 University, against 31% at Lamar Institute of Technology. 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.