Industrial Engineering at Lamar University

Lamar University's industrial engineering program lands solidly in the middle of Texas options, but that still means graduates earn about $12,000 less than the state median and nearly $13,000 below the national benchmark. At $62,053 first-year earnings, this trails flagship programs like UT-Arlington and University of Houston by roughly $14,000 annually—a gap that compounds significantly over a career. The 40th percentile state ranking tells the story: half of Texas industrial engineering programs deliver better outcomes.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $28,351, graduates carry more than the Texas median but less than the national average, and the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 remains manageable. Still, you're paying similar debt for notably lower returns compared to peer programs. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty—these numbers could shift considerably with more data.

For families prioritizing access and affordability, Lamar's high admission rate and significant Pell Grant population suggest it serves students who might not gain admission elsewhere. But if your child can access UT-Arlington, University of Houston, or Texas A&M, those programs deliver $12,000-$14,000 more in first-year earnings for similar or lower debt. Lamar works as a backup option for industrial engineering, but it shouldn't be the first choice if better-performing Texas programs are within reach.