Lone Star College System
- Graduation Rate
- 20% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,466 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $11,252 B
- 34% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 45,188
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.4 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $26.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,144,496.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 20% — 65% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Lone Star College System Matters
Lone Star College System is a public community college in The Woodlands, TX and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 45,188
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Lone Star College System
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,252 a year after grants and scholarships — 34% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,466 ten years after enrolling — 4% above the typical college, against $8,600 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.26 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 45,200 students, Lone Star College System in The Woodlands, TX, is a great option for those looking for an accessible education tailored to a variety of interests. This college is particularly well-suited for students pursuing programs in Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, and Mechanic & Repair Tech. The diverse offerings mean that whether you're aiming for a career in healthcare or technology, you’ll find a path that aligns with your goals.
Looking at life after graduation, students from Lone Star can expect to earn about $42,466 a year within ten years of completing their programs. This figure reflects a solid return on investment, especially considering the cost of education here. With a net price of $11,252 after aid, many students find that they can manage their education without accumulating burdensome debt. The median debt for graduates stands at $8,600, which is quite manageable when compared to potential earnings.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Lone Star, affordability is a significant factor. With the net price being relatively low, students can focus on their studies without the stress of overwhelming financial pressure. Those who tend to thrive here are often motivated individuals looking to build skills for immediate employment or further educational opportunities. For anyone considering a path that leads to a solid career without the weight of excessive debt, Lone Star College can be a smart choice.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Lone Star College System is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lone Star College System? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in The Woodlands, Texas, Lone Star College System enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 20%.
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,339
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 21:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.71
- First-Gen Students
- 51%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lone Star College System? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lone Star College System is $9,390, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,252. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,657 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,600 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $3,330
- Out-of-State
- $9,390
- Avg Net Price
- $11,252
- Median Debt
- $8,600
- Pell Grant Rate
- 23%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 7%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,657
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,515
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $11,128
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,572
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Lone Star College System Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lone Star College System report median earnings of $42,466, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,889
- 8 Years
- $36,919
- 10 Years
- $42,466
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.2x
- Earning > $25K
- 58%
Earnings Trajectory
How Lone Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Lone Star College System Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Lone Star College System delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,252/year ($45,008 total). Graduates earn $42,466 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,189,504 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,144,496 (26.4× your investment). The median debt is $8,600, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 20% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $45,008
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,189,504
- Net Return
- $1,144,496
- ROI Multiple
- 26.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,252
- Median Debt
- $8,600
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 20%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-786,129
Top Programs
The fields Lone Star College System awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 51%
- Business & Marketing 14%
- Health Professions 9%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Education 3%
- Precision Production 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Lone Star College System's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Lone Star College System? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in The Woodlands, Texas, Lone Star College System enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 20%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Lone Star College System? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Lone Star College System is $9,390, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,252. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,657 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,600 in federal student loans.
Is Lone Star College System Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Lone Star College System report median earnings of $42,466, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is Lone Star College System? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lone Star College System. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Lone Star College System.
- Valencia CollegeOrlando, FL · Close peer46% grad $40,594 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Houston City CollegeHouston, TX · Close peer17% grad $39,254 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- San Jacinto Community CollegePasadena, TX · Close peer32% grad $43,062 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar net price · same state
- Austin Community College DistrictAustin, TX · Close peer19% grad $43,177 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Dallas CollegeDallas, TX · Close peer34% grad $41,714 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- Glendale Community CollegeGlendale, AZ · Close peer15% grad $43,108 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Lone Star College System? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Lone Star College System. Its economic connectedness score is 1.26, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.05). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note