Computer and Information Sciences at Lamar State College-Orange

Comparable computer science programs in Texas suggest first-year earnings around $35,600, with an estimated $12,750 in debt for this associate degree—a ratio that looks manageable at 0.36, especially given national benchmarks showing similar earnings but typically higher debt. What's less clear is how Lamar State College-Orange compares to the stronger performers in the state: Austin Community College District's graduates earn nearly $50,000 in their first year, while several other Texas programs cluster in the high $30,000s.

The debt estimate here is notably lower than both the Texas median ($15,927) and the national median ($14,932) for associate programs in computer science. If accurate, that's a real advantage—it means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with less than four months of earnings. However, since both figures are derived from peer programs rather than this school's actual outcomes, the true picture remains uncertain.

For parents, the question is whether Lamar State College-Orange can deliver outcomes closer to Austin Community College's strong performance or falls somewhere in the middle of the Texas pack. The estimated debt burden is reasonable enough that even average outcomes would be workable, but you'd want to investigate job placement rates and employer connections directly with the school before committing.