Lamar University vs Universal Technical Institute-West Texas: which has better ROI?
Lamar University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $37,464 in 29 years versus 36.5 years at Universal Technical Institute-West Texas, on median earnings of $49,652 vs $51,222 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lamar University | Universal Technical Institute-West Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,366 | $26,117 |
| Total net cost | $37,464 | $104,468 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,652 | $51,222 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $14,267 |
| Payback | 29 yrs | 36.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$11,624 | -$47,228 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lamar University or Universal Technical Institute-West Texas?
Lamar University, at $9,366 a year after aid versus $26,117 — a gap of $16,751 a year, or $67,004 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 University or Universal Technical Institute-West Texas graduates earn more?
Universal Technical Institute-West Texas graduates report a median $51,222 ten years after entry, $1,570 more than the $49,652 at Lamar University. 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 Universal Technical Institute-West Texas?
Universal Technical Institute-West Texas: its completers carry a median $14,267 in federal loans versus $21,250 at Lamar University, a difference of $6,983. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute-West Texas, against 37% at Lamar 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.