HCC vs. Lone Star College System

Comparable Facts

Compare Houston Community College in Houston, 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 HCC based on total student enrollment (73,077 students vs. 53,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Houston Community College is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); Lone Star College System is in The Woodlands, TX (Small Suburban setting).
• Houston Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Lone Star College System is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Houston Community College 23:1; Lone Star College System 22:1.

HCC vs. Lone Star College System Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, HCC 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 Houston Community College than Lone Star College System ($5,734 vs. $11,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Houston Community College are 13.3% lower than at Lone Star College System ($9,330 vs. $10,756).
• Lone Star College System is 72% more expensive for in-state tuition than HCC (about $3,126 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $4,344.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72% higher at Lone Star College System than at Houston Community College (about $3,930 more per year; $9,390.00 vs. $5,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Houston Community College than at Lone Star College System (69% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Houston Community College students is 7.2% larger than aid received by Lone Star College System students ($6,768 vs. $6,315).

HCC vs. Lone Star College System Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, HCC 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 HCC.

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

HCC vs. Lone Star College System Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for HCC 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 Lone Star College System earn a median of about $300 more per year than HCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Lone Star College System graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than HCC graduates ($9,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Lone Star College System graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HCC graduates ($98 vs. $108).
• More Lone Star College System graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HCC students, three years after graduation. (29% vs. 25%)

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.