Lamar University vs. UT-Pan American

Comparable Facts

Compare Lamar University in Beaumont, TX with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is larger than Lamar University based on total student enrollment (33,881 students vs. 17,772 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lamar University is located in Beaumont, TX (Midsize City setting); The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is in Edinburg, TX (Small City setting).
• Lamar University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lamar University 20:1; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 20:1.

Lamar University vs. UT-Pan American Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lamar University or UT-Pan American? 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley than Lamar University ($5,282 vs. $9,814).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are 7% lower than at Lamar University ($9,728 vs. $10,464).
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lamar University (about $1,082 more per year; $9,987.00 vs. $8,905.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at UT-Pan American than at Lamar University (about $1,082 more per year; $19,827.00 vs. $18,745.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley than at Lamar University (93% vs. 91%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lamar University students is 5.1% larger than aid received by The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley students ($12,263 vs. $11,663).

Lamar University vs. UT-Pan American Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lamar University or UT-Pan American? 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 UT-Pan American and Lamar University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lamar University (1040) is 50 points higher than at UT-Pan American (990).
• Incoming Lamar University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 18 at UT-Pan American).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lamar University 930/1140; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 880/1090.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Lamar University 18/25; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Lamar University - Test optional; UT-Pan American - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UT-Pan American Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Lamar University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at UT-Pan American (3.16).
• UT-Pan American has a higher acceptance rate (94.2%) than Lamar University (86.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.9% at Lamar University vs. 40.5% at UT-Pan American.

Lamar University vs. UT-Pan American Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lamar University and UT-Pan American? 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).

• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than Lamar University's (31%).
• Graduates from Lamar University earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than UT-Pan American graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,500 vs. $41,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates have a $11,461 lower median loan debt than Lamar University graduates ($10,539 vs. $22,000).
• Among borrowers, UT-Pan American graduates have an estimated $119 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lamar University graduates ($108 vs. $227).
• More UT-Pan American graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lamar University students, three years after graduation. (51% 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.