Howard College vs. Lone Star College System

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard College in Big Spring, 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 Howard College based on total student enrollment (73,077 students vs. 4,101 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard College is located in Big Spring, TX (Remote Town setting); Lone Star College System is in The Woodlands, TX (Small Suburban setting).
• Howard 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: Howard College 25:1; Lone Star College System 22:1.

Howard College vs. Lone Star College System Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard College 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 Howard College than Lone Star College System ($6,491 vs. $11,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Howard College are 43.6% lower than at Lone Star College System ($6,064 vs. $10,756).
• Lone Star College System is 41.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard College (about $2,204 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $5,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.8% higher at Lone Star College System than at Howard College (about $2,674 more per year; $9,390.00 vs. $6,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard College than at Lone Star College System (81% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard College students is 18.7% larger than aid received by Lone Star College System students ($7,494 vs. $6,315).

Howard College vs. Lone Star College System Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard College 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 Howard College.

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

Howard College vs. Lone Star College System Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard College 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 $4,500 more per year than Howard College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Howard College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Lone Star College System graduates ($6,750 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Howard College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lone Star College System graduates ($69 vs. $98).
• More Howard College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lone Star College System students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.