Austin Community College District vs. Lone Star College System

Comparable Facts

Compare Austin Community College District in Austin, TX with Lone Star College System in The Woodlands, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lone Star College System is larger than Austin Community College District based on total student enrollment (73,077 students vs. 39,727 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Austin Community College District is located in Austin, TX (Large City setting); Lone Star College System is in The Woodlands, TX (Small Suburban setting).
• Austin Community College District is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Lone Star College System is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Austin Community College District 19:1; Lone Star College System 22:1.

Austin Community College District vs. Lone Star College System Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Austin Community College District or Lone Star College System? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Austin Community College District than Lone Star College System ($5,466 vs. $11,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lone Star College System are 41% lower than at Austin Community College District ($10,756 vs. $18,240).
• Austin Community College District is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lone Star College System (about $1,110 more per year; $8,580.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.8% higher at Austin Community College District than at Lone Star College System (about $1,200 more per year; $10,590.00 vs. $9,390.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lone Star College System than at Austin Community College District (60% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Austin Community College District students is 50.9% larger than aid received by Lone Star College System students ($9,527 vs. $6,315).

Austin Community College District vs. Lone Star College System Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Austin Community College District or Lone Star College System? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lone Star College System and Austin Community College District.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Austin Community College District - Open admission; Lone Star College System - Open admission.

Austin Community College District vs. Lone Star College System Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Austin Community College District and Lone Star College System? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Austin Community College District earn a median of about $700 more per year than Lone Star College System graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,200 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Austin Community College District graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Lone Star College System graduates ($7,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Austin Community College District graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lone Star College System graduates ($77 vs. $98).
• More Austin Community College District graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lone Star College System students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 29%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.