Management Information Systems and Services at Lamar University

Lamar's MIS program produces first-year earnings well below both the Texas state median ($52,836) and national average ($59,490). Graduates start at $44,508—roughly $8,000 below what their peers at other Texas schools typically earn. Among the 40 Texas schools offering this degree, Lamar ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of MIS programs in the state produce better outcomes. The gap with Texas flagships is even starker: UT Austin graduates earn nearly double at $86,622, while even UNT produces graduates earning $64,441.

The debt load of $28,000 sits above the Texas median of $20,500, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. While graduates do see 13% earnings growth to $50,224 by year four, they're starting from such a low baseline that they're still earning less than typical MIS graduates make in their first year out of school.

For a family considering this program, the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) adds uncertainty, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious alternatives. If your child is set on staying in-state for an MIS degree, schools like UNT or University of Houston offer substantially better outcomes at public school prices. Unless location in the Beaumont area is essential, this program doesn't compete well against other Texas options in its category.