The new $37.4 million Allied Health and Sciences Building at Lamar State College Port Arthur opened this fall, providing state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories that support record enrollment of 5,029 students.
Growth at LSCPA helps push Texas State University System to unprecedented 102,190 students
Lamar State College Port Arthur has reached a historic milestone, enrolling 5,029 students for the Fall 2025 semester, the highest headcount in the 116-year history of the college.
The final enrollment figure represents an increase of more than seven percent from Fall 2024, when 4,682 students were enrolled, and nearly double the enrollment of just four years ago. LSCPA’s fall headcount has shown steady, dramatic growth in recent years:
- 2021: 2,524 students
- 2022: 2,698 students (+6.9%)
- 2023: 3,912 students (+44.9%)
- 2024: 4,682 students (+19.7%)
- 2025: 5,029 students (+7.4%)
Semester credit hours also climbed to 31,615 from 30,854, while contact hours rose to 676,720 from 672,000.
“Reaching 5,000 students is a historic moment for our college,” said Dr. Betty Reynard, President of Lamar State College Port Arthur. “This growth shows the strength of our programs, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the confidence students and families across Texas place in LSCPA. With our recent new facilities, we are better positioned than ever to serve the educational and workforce needs of our region and the state.”
The college’s surge in enrollment is fueled largely by high school students taking advantage of LSCPA’s dual credit offerings. More than 3,400 students are currently enrolled in dual credit courses, representing 68 percent of the college’s total headcount.
“Dual credit is opening doors for students earlier, making higher education more accessible and affordable,” said Bruce Hodge, Director of Dual Enrollment. “Families recognize the value, and our school district partners continue to expand opportunities for their students to earn college credit before graduating high school.”
In addition to enrollment growth, new and renovated facilities are providing fresh opportunities for students. The $37.4 million Allied Health and Sciences Building opened this fall, offering state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories for nursing, allied health, and science programs. The complete renovation of the Monroe Education Building has modernized one of the college’s central academic spaces. Both projects expand capacity for training in high-demand fields.
“Workforce training continues to drive the economy in our region, and LSCPA is leading the way,” said Dr. Ben Stafford, Vice President for Workforce Training and Continuing Education. “With expanded facilities and programs, we are preparing more graduates than ever to step directly into high-demand careers in health care, petrochemical, and other key industries.”
LSCPA’s achievement is part of a record-setting year across the Texas State University System. For the first time, TSUS enrollment exceeded 100,000 students, a goal set by Chancellor Brian McCall to be reached in 2026. This fall’s 102,190 headcount represents a seven percent increase from last year.
The system’s growth is driven by significant increases at the Lamar State Colleges. Combined enrollment at Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Orange, and Lamar State College Port Arthur surged 32 percent in one year, from 12,523 students in Fall 2024 to 16,535 this fall.
“These new enrollment numbers affirm we are meeting our mission of providing affordable, high-quality education to all Texans,” Chancellor McCall said. “By producing a more educated workforce, TSUS institutions are doing their part to support the state’s economic well-being and improve our graduates’ quality of life.”
With enrollment still climbing as dual credit students continue to register, LSCPA officials anticipate the Fall 2025 headcount may grow even higher before the semester’s census date.
“This is not just about numbers,” Reynard said. “It’s about impact. Every one of these 5,029 students represents a life being transformed through education. That is why we exist, and that is why we are celebrating this milestone.”
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