Lamar University vs. McMurry University

Should I go to Lamar University or McMurry University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Lamar University or McMurry University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Lamar University vs. McMurry University comparison
Lamar University McMurry University College 3 College 4
Lamar University McMurry University
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Overview

Lamar University McMurry University
Location Beaumont, TX Abilene, TX
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 16,803 1,237
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #992 #734
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website lamar.edu mcm.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Lamar University McMurry University
Tuition (In State) $6,228 $29,972
Tuition (Out of State) $16,020 $29,972
Room & Board $9,884 $9,250
Avg Net Price $11,757 $18,757
Avg Grant Aid $10,397 $23,537
% Receiving Grant Aid 95% 100%

Admission

Lamar University McMurry University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,214 2,345
Admitted 5,203 1,325
Acceptance Rate 83.7% 56.5%
Enrolled % 28.5% 20.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.4 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 14/19 20/25
SAT Range 830/1030 1040/1230
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Lamar University McMurry University
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • General Studies (14%)
  • Health Professions (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Education (23%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Lamar University McMurry University
Graduation Rate 31% 36%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $45,500 $43,700
Making Student Loan Payments 42% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,000 $26,824
Median Loan Payment $227 $277

Diversity

Lamar University McMurry University
% Men 34% 53%
% Women 66% 47%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 48% 52%
% Black 27% 18%
% Hispanic 15% 25%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 1%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

Lamar University McMurry University
% In-State 97% 96%
% Out-of-State 2% 3%

Campus

Lamar University McMurry University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Lamar University is larger than than McMurry University based on total student enrollment (16,803 students vs. 1,237 students)

Lamar University vs. McMurry University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lamar University or McMurry University?

  • McMurry University is 381.2% more expensive to attend than Lamar University for in-state tuition ($29,972.00 vs. $6,228.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.1% higher at McMurry University than Lamar University ($29,972.00 vs. $16,020.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lamar University than McMurry University ($11,757 vs. $18,757)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McMurry University are 6.9% lower than costs at Lamar University ($9,250 vs. $9,884)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McMurry University than Lamar University (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McMurry University students is 126.4% larger than aid received Lamar University ($23,537 vs. $10,397)

Lamar University vs. McMurry University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lamar University or McMurry University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between McMurry University or Lamar University .

  • The average SAT score at Lamar University (974) is 87 points higher than at McMurry University (887)
  • Incoming Lamar University students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at McMurry University (19)
  • Accepted freshman McMurry University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Lamar University (3.4)
  • Lamar University has a higher acceptance rate (83.7%) than McMurry University (56.5%)

Lamar University vs. McMurry University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Lamar University or McMurry University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between McMurry University and Lamar University.

  • The graduation rate at McMurry University is higher than Lamar University (36% vs. 31%)
  • Graduates from Lamar University earn on average $1,800 more per year than McMurry University graduates after ten years. ($45,500 vs. $43,700)
  • Lamar University students graduate with a $4,824 lower median federal student loan debt than McMurry University graduates. ($22,000 vs. $26,824)
  • Lamar University graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than McMurry University graduates. ($227 vs. $277)
  • More McMurry University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lamar University students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/