Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations at Lamar University

Lamar University's entrepreneurship program graduates earn $32,129 in their first year—$13,000 below the Texas median and roughly $20,000 less than what graduates from the University of Houston or University of North Texas earn with the same degree. At the 25th percentile among Texas programs, this places Lamar in the bottom quarter of in-state options, where most students will be competing for admission and comparing financial aid packages.

The 18% earnings growth over four years offers some hope, bringing graduates to $37,736 by year four, but even this improved figure falls short of what peers at similar Texas public universities earn right out of the gate. The debt load of $25,406 isn't unusually high—it's actually close to the national median—but paired with below-average earnings, it creates a debt-to-income ratio of 0.79 that will require careful budgeting in those early career years.

For Texas families, the numbers tell a clear story: if your child is considering entrepreneurship programs within the state system, schools like UH or UNT deliver substantially better financial outcomes at comparable or lower costs. Lamar's 86% admission rate and strong access mission (44% Pell recipients) make it an important option for students who need a nearby, accessible path to a bachelor's degree, but families should plan for modest starting salaries and potentially explore whether entrepreneurship coursework combined with a different major might strengthen job prospects.