Lamar University vs. Texas State

Comparable Facts

Compare Lamar University in Beaumont, TX with Texas State University in San Marcos, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas State University is larger than Lamar University based on total student enrollment (40,674 students vs. 17,772 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lamar University is located in Beaumont, TX (Midsize City setting); Texas State University is in San Marcos, TX (Distant Town setting).
• Lamar University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lamar University 20:1; Texas State University 21:1.

Lamar University vs. Texas State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lamar University or Texas State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lamar University than Texas State ($9,814 vs. $15,716).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lamar University are 17.1% lower than at Texas State University ($10,464 vs. $12,630).
• Texas State University is 28.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lamar University (about $2,545 more per year; $11,450.00 vs. $8,905.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.3% higher at Texas State than at Lamar University (about $4,185 more per year; $22,930.00 vs. $18,745.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lamar University than at Texas State University (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas State University students is 2.4% larger than aid received by Lamar University students ($12,556 vs. $12,263).

Lamar University vs. Texas State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lamar University or Texas State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Texas State and Lamar University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Texas State University (1090) is 50 points higher than at Lamar University (1040).
• Incoming Texas State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Lamar University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lamar University 930/1140; Texas State University 980/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lamar University 18/25; Texas State University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lamar University - Test optional; Texas State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Texas State Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lamar University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Texas State (3.38).
• Texas State has a higher acceptance rate (89.3%) than Lamar University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Lamar University vs. 26.9% at Texas State.

Lamar University vs. Texas State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lamar University and Texas State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Texas State University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than Lamar University's (31%).
• Graduates from Texas State University earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Lamar University graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas State University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Lamar University graduates ($21,250 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, Texas State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lamar University graduates ($219 vs. $227).
• More Texas State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lamar University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 42%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.