New Lower Tuition Rate at LSCO
July 17, 2019
On the grounds where Southeast Texas first became a thriving community, the Texas State University System announced a tuition cut for all three Lamar State College campuses.
The 25% tuition reduction is effective immediately for students enrolling at Lamar State College Orange, Lamar State College Port Arthur, and Lamar Institute of Technology.
The press conference announcing the reduction was held Wednesday morning at Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum in Beaumont where Southeast Texas became an economic powerhouse in the early 1900s.
The Texas State University System Board of Regents unanimously voted to approve the tuition reduction to allow the three Lamar State Colleges to be on par with other community colleges in the state. The Texas legislature approved the funding request.
With the reduction, tuition at Lamar State College Orange will be $1,995 per semester for a full time student.
The tuition reduction allow students to take more classes at the same price, graduate quicker, and finish school with lower or no debt.
This reduction also applies to dual-credit students. The cost for a dual credit student is now only $50 per credit hour.
“The Lamar State Colleges are consistently ranked among the best colleges in the nation for graduate earnings and job placement rates,” said Board of Regents Chairman William F. Scott. “This tuition cut will make these state colleges even more attractive to students who would like to advance their careers and increase their earnings. Our hope is that students who have been on the fence about continuing their education will strongly consider enrolling this fall.”
Although their mission is similar to the state’s community colleges, the Lamar State Colleges receive no local tax revenue, resulting in an overdependence on tuition and fees. Last year, tuition and fees at the Lamar State Colleges were about $1,800 higher, on average, than Texas community colleges. Now, the cost difference is roughly half that amount.
The recently approved state budget provides an additional $17.3 million to narrow the funding gap between the Lamar State Colleges and community colleges. The Board of Regents dedicated 95 percent of this new money, $16.5 million, to reduce tuition and fees. The state colleges will use the remaining five percent to enhance student support services.
“The Texas Legislature and Governor Abbott deserve enormous praise for creating a more level playing field for college students in Southeast Texas,” said TSUS Chancellor Brian McCall. “Cost should not be a barrier to a college degree if we have the means to address it. This additional funding shows a strong commitment by our state leaders to the students of Southeast Texas.”
State Representative Dade Phelan, who led the effort to increase funding for the two-year colleges, said, “The Lamar State Colleges have a long and successful history of preparing Southeast Texas residents for jobs in our local economy. This tuition cut will save the average student hundreds of dollars each semester, making it easier to earn a two-year degree and improve their quality of life. I applaud the Texas State University System Regents and Chancellor Brian McCall for their leadership and dedication to this area of the state.”
There has never been a better time to become part of the LSCO Gator family. Our Advising Office is ready to help register students at this new lower tuition rate. Students who have already registered are eligible for a refund or to use the tuition savings to take an additional class.
Call 409.883.7750 or visit campus to get started on your bright Orange future.
About the Texas State University System
The Texas State University System is the state’s oldest and third-largest university system, with seven institutions spanning from the Big Bend Region of West Texas to the Texas-Louisiana Border. System-wide enrollment exceeded 84,000 last fall.