All schools
PublicUrban

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas 77705

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

UrbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Lamar University is a public institution in Beaumont with particular strength in business and engineering. With an average SAT of 1040, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 7.9K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

37% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $49,652 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,429.

Established
1923
Motto
Living the Legacy, Inventing the Future
Mascot
Big Red and LU
Type
Public university
Conference
Southland Conference
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

86%Acceptance
1040SAT Avg
7,945Students
18:1Student:Faculty
37%Grad Rate
$49,652Earnings 10yr
$11,429Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate85.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1040

Reading & WritingMid: 510
470580
MathMid: 495
440550

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 20
1824

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,690
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,482
Room & Board$10,272
Books & Supplies$1,250
Total Cost of Attendance$21,626
Average Net Price$11,429
Median Debt at Graduation$21,250
Monthly Payment (10yr)$225

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$9,565
$30–48K$10,103
$48–75K$12,281
$75–110K$16,562
$110K+$18,473

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

59.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

0.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

59

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

15

Burglary

3

Aggravated Assault

2

Robbery

5

Motor Vehicle Theft

6

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

16

Drug Arrests

12

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (99)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

61%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
7,945
Gender Split
60% / 40%
Women / Men
First Generation
43%
Pell Grant Recipients
44%

Race & Ethnicity

White 39%
Black 29%
Hispanic 24%
Asian 5%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate37.2%
Freshman Retention61.0%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,077
10 Years$49,652

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#293
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#356
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

SoccerVolleyballSoftball whichNational invitation

History & Fun Facts

  • Find sources: "Lamar University" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Louis R.
  • Pietzsch founded a public junior college in Beaumont's South Park area at the direction of the South Park School District.
  • Lamar University started on September 17, 1923 as South Park Junior College, operating on the unused third floor of the new South Park High School.
  • Pietzsch acted as the first president of the college.
  • South Park Junior College became the first college in Texas to receive Texas Department of Education approval during the first year of operation and became fully accredited in 1925.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from TX state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 240Rainy days: 85

Nearest Cities

Houstonpop. 2.3M
80 mi(139 min)
Austinpop. 960K
220 mi(381 min)
New Orleanspop. 380K
239 mi(414 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

IAH Houston Intercontinental76 mi
AUS Austin215 mi
MSY New Orleans228 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1532 mi · ~44h 15m drive
New York, NY1345 mi · ~38h 51m drive
Hartford, CT1439 mi · ~41h 34m drive
Providence, RI1499 mi · ~43h 18m drive
Albany, NY1421 mi · ~41h 3m drive
Syracuse, NY1335 mi · ~38h 34m drive
Rochester, NY1282 mi · ~37h 2m drive
Buffalo, NY1221 mi · ~35h 16m drive
Philadelphia, PA1266 mi · ~36h 34m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1069 mi · ~30h 53m drive
Harrisburg, PA1197 mi · ~34h 35m drive
Newark, NJ1337 mi · ~38h 37m drive
Washington, DC1145 mi · ~33h 5m drive
Baltimore, MD1177 mi · ~34h drive
Atlanta, GA623 mi · ~18h drive
Charlotte, NC848 mi · ~24h 30m drive
Raleigh, NC978 mi · ~28h 15m drive
Miami, FL897 mi · ~25h 55m drive
Orlando, FL772 mi · ~22h 18m drive
Tampa, FL716 mi · ~20h 41m drive
Nashville, TN597 mi · ~17h 15m drive
New Orleans, LA239 mi · ~6h 54m drive
Richmond, VA1084 mi · ~31h 19m drive
Chicago, IL893 mi · ~25h 48m drive
Detroit, MI1046 mi · ~30h 13m drive
Minneapolis, MN1033 mi · ~29h 51m drive
St. Louis, MO633 mi · ~18h 17m drive
Kansas City, MO626 mi · ~18h 5m drive
Indianapolis, IN807 mi · ~23h 19m drive
Columbus, OH927 mi · ~26h 47m drive
Cleveland, OH1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Milwaukee, WI960 mi · ~27h 44m drive
Dallas, TX248 mi · ~7h 10m drive
Houston, TX80 mi · ~2h 19m drive
Austin, TX220 mi · ~6h 21m drive
San Antonio, TX269 mi · ~7h 46m drive
Los Angeles, CA1439 mi · ~41h 34m drive
San Francisco, CA1703 mi · ~49h 12m drive
San Diego, CA1372 mi · ~39h 38m drive
Seattle, WA1927 mi · ~55h 40m drive
Portland, OR1877 mi · ~54h 13m drive
Denver, CO911 mi · ~26h 19m drive
Phoenix, AZ1082 mi · ~31h 15m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1243 mi · ~35h 55m drive
Honolulu, HI3969 mi · ~114h 40m drive
Deep South / Subtropical (warm winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

Lamar University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications