Lone Star College System vs. Northwest Vista College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lone Star College System in The Woodlands, TX with Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lone Star College System is larger than Northwest Vista College based on total student enrollment (73,077 students vs. 20,060 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lone Star College System is located in The Woodlands, TX (Small Suburban setting); Northwest Vista College is in San Antonio, TX (Rural Fringe setting).
• Lone Star College System is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northwest Vista College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lone Star College System 22:1; Northwest Vista College 33:1.

Lone Star College System vs. Northwest Vista College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lone Star College System or Northwest Vista College? 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 Northwest Vista College than Lone Star College System ($5,813 vs. $11,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lone Star College System are 24.5% lower than at Northwest Vista College ($10,756 vs. $14,250).
• Lone Star College System is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Vista College (about $1,928 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $5,542.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Northwest Vista College than at Lone Star College System (about $562 more per year; $9,952.00 vs. $9,390.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Vista College than at Lone Star College System (87% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lone Star College System students is 11% larger than aid received by Northwest Vista College students ($6,315 vs. $5,689).

Lone Star College System vs. Northwest Vista College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lone Star College System or Northwest Vista College? 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 Northwest Vista College and Lone Star College System.

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

Lone Star College System vs. Northwest Vista College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lone Star College System and Northwest Vista College? 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 $1,700 more per year than Northwest Vista College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $36,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Vista College graduates have a $1,520 lower median loan debt than Lone Star College System graduates ($7,980 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwest Vista College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lone Star College System graduates ($82 vs. $98).
• More Northwest Vista College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lone Star College System students, three years after graduation. (37% 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.