Higher Education

Lamar State College Port Arthur is a public two-year institution located in the city. The college offers more than 50 academic and technical programs, including nursing, criminal justice, communications, and industrial technology. Students benefit from an 18-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and affordable tuition, with 47 percent receiving financial assistance. Ninety-eight percent of graduates either enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year university after completing their studies.

Lamar University, located in nearby Beaumont, serves more than 17,000 students and offers more than 120 degree programs. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across colleges, including engineering, business, education, nursing, arts and sciences, and fine arts. As a public research university within the Texas State University System, Lamar supports strong STEM, healthcare, and business education programs. Its programs help supply the region with engineers, healthcare professionals, educators, and business leaders.

Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont provides career-focused technical education and workforce training. The institute enrolls more than 8,000 students each year in associate degree and certificate programs across fields such as industrial technology, healthcare, computer information systems, welding, and process operations. Students train in modern labs with hands-on instruction designed to prepare them for high-demand careers. More than 92 percent of graduates find employment after completing their programs, supporting workforce needs across the Golden Triangle region.

Lamar State College Orange provides affordable higher education and workforce training near Port Arthur. The college offers transferable courses for four-year degrees and programs for direct workforce entry. Small class sizes and a 22 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio support student success. The college serves a diverse student body, including many first-generation students, and aligns programs with regional industry needs.