Physical Science Technology at Lamar Institute of Technology

Beaumont, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Physical Science Technologies/Technicians

a compact campus enrolling 2,937 students in Beaumont, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $42,539 place Lamar Institute of Technology below the $54,443 national median for Physical Science Technology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 123.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physical Science Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Physical Science Technology's career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $42,539 far exceeding the $13,769 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #14 of 17 Physical Science Technology programs, Lamar Institute of Technology falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $110,839 show a 161% jump from the $42,539 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Physical Science Technology offers 8 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
57
Low End
64
Score
67
High End
Earnings $42,539/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$747K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
131.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$5,688
Out-of-state: $25,848
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,769
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$110,839
161% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Physical Science Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chemical plant and system operators $73,540 -6.1% 85%
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other $60,130 +3.5% 45%
Hydrologic technicians $58,570 -2.1% 50%
Chemical plant and system operators
$73,540
-6.1% growth 85% AI-proof
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other
$60,130
+3.5% growth 45% AI-proof
Hydrologic technicians
$58,570
-2.1% growth 50% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Physical Science Technology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Physical Science Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Lamar Institute of Technology and 16 other schools.

Read the full Physical Science Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Physical Science Technology Overview

Physical Science Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lamar Institute of Technology

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Lamar Institute of Technology's Physical Science Technology program score?
A score of 64/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Lamar Institute of Technology trails the majority of Physical Science Technology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Why are Physical Science Technology earnings lower at Lamar Institute of Technology?
Starting salary is one data point. If Lamar Institute of Technology's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Physical Science Technology program at Lamar Institute of Technology?
There are 8 registered apprenticeships connected to Physical Science Technology occupations, such as Chemical Engineering Technician and Chemical Laboratory Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the AI uncertainty for Physical Science Technology careers?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →