Lone Star College System

5000 Research Forest Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Top Ranked (2024-25): View Rankings
  • Known for its innovation and its visionary thinking, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest growing community college system in Texas. LSCS offers associate degrees and certification in about many areas of study.Through its progressive partnerships with four-year universities, LSCS can also offer seamless opportunities to obtain bachelor's and master's degrees at one of its two University Centers.

School Highlights

Lone Star College System serves 68,653 students (29% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is same as the state community college average of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 94%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 68,653 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,184
  • Out-state tuition: $3,544
  • Student:teacher ratio: 16:1
  • Minority enrollment: 96%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Lone Star College System ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Texas for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 4,405 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Lone Star College System
(TX) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
4,405 staff
262 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Lone Star College System and community college average number of faculty in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Lone Star College System has declined by 7% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 has decreased from 17:1 over five years.
The Lone Star College System diversity score of 0.73 is less than the state average of 0.75. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
68,653 students
3,803 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Lone Star College System and community college average number of enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
16:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Lone Star College System and community college average student staff ratio of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
19,610 students
788 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Lone Star College System and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
49,043 students
3,015 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Lone Star College System and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Lone Star College System.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Texas.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
485 students
344 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
19,610 students
784 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Lone Star College System and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
15 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
49,043 students
3,005 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
31 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
252 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
8%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Lone Star College System and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
14%
12%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Lone Star College System and the percentage of Asian community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
n/a
9%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Lone Star College System and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
38%
40%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Lone Star College System and the percentage of Black community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
4%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Lone Star College System and the percentage of White community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
31%
24%
% Two or more races
2%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Lone Star College System and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Lone Star College System and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in Texas by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
3%
3%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Lone Star College System.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Texas.
Diversity Score
0.73
0.75
This chart displays the diversity score of Lone Star College System and the community college average diversity score of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
43%
0.5294%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Lone Star College System and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.1786%
0.366%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$37,300
$34,600
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Lone Star College System and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Texas by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $3,184 is less than the state average of $3,316. The in-state tuition has declined by 17% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $3,544 is less than the state average of $5,750. The out-state tuition has declined by 31% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,184
$3,316
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Lone Star College System and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$3,544
$5,750
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Lone Star College System and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
71%
84%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Lone Star College System and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,000
$10,765
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Lone Star College System and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,602
$5,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Lone Star College System and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Texas by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
81%
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • The idea of a college campus in the North Houston region was once only a vision in the minds of community leaders. It began the journey to reality in 1972 when residents in the Aldine, Humble and Spring Independent School Districts elected to create a junior college district, which became known as North Harris County College. We opened our doors in the fall of 1973 and our 16-member staff welcomed 613 students to the first classes held at Aldine High School. NHMCCD is one of the largest and fastest growing community colleges in Texas. Over 41,000 students register for credit courses each semester with an additional 15,000 in continuing education courses. The college district serves an area over 1,400 square miles, encompassing the school districts of Aldine, Conroe, Cypress-Fairbanks, Humble, Klein, Magnolia, New Caney, Splendora, Spring, Tomball Willis, and the surrounding communities. NHMCCD comprises North Harris College, Kingwood College, Tomball College, Montgomery College, and Cy-Fair College as well as satellite centers - Carver, Parkway, Career and Technology Center, East Montgomery County Improvement District, Fairbanks, Willow Chase and the Center for Business & Technology Training. The University Center, a partnership with NHMCCD and six Texas universities, provides over 60 bachelor's, master's, and doctorate programs. NHMCCD offers Honors Program, Service Learning, Learning Communities and Distance Learning programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Lone Star College System cost?
Lone Star College System's tuition is approximately $3,184 for In-State students and $3,544 for Out-State students.
What schools are Lone Star College System often compared to?
Lone Star College Systemis often viewed alongside schools like Houston Community College by visitors of our site.
What is Lone Star College System's ranking?
Lone Star College System ranks among the top 20% of community college in Texas for: Least expensive tuition, Diversity in US community colleges, Largest student body, Highest completion rates and Least debt for graduating students.
In what neighborhood is Lone Star College System located?
Lone Star College System is located in the Research Forest neighborhood of The Woodlands, TX.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 68,653 students
  • In-state tuition: $3,184
  • Out-state tuition: $3,544
  • Student:teacher ratio: 16:1
  • Minority enrollment: 96%
  • Source: Verified school update

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Texas public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,316 per year for in-state students and $5,750 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $13,996 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Texas is 77%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Texas community colleges have a diversity score of 0.75, which is equal to the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in Texas is Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Dallas. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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