Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at Lamar University

Lamar University's electrical engineering program punches well above its weight. Despite being an accessible school with an 86% acceptance rate, graduates earn $83,155 their first year—landing in the 86th percentile nationally and outperforming 60% of Texas programs. That puts them within striking distance of graduates from Rice and UT Austin, who typically earn around $97,000, while Lamar students graduate with just $18,000 in debt compared to the $24,000+ typical elsewhere.

The debt picture here is exceptional. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, graduates owe roughly three months' salary—manageable territory that allows for aggressive loan payoff or saving. That $18,000 debt load ranks in the 12th percentile nationally, meaning 88% of similar programs leave students with more debt. For families concerned about affordability, this combination of strong earnings and minimal debt is exactly what engineering school should deliver.

The flat earnings trajectory (barely 1% growth from year one to year four) suggests graduates hit their stride immediately, likely moving into stable engineering roles in Southeast Texas's industrial corridor. For a family weighing whether to spend significantly more at a flagship university, Lamar offers 85-90% of the earnings outcome at perhaps half the total cost—a calculation that favors the more affordable path for many households.