TVCC vs. Lone Star College System

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, 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 TVCC based on total student enrollment (73,077 students vs. 5,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity Valley Community College is located in Athens, TX (Distant Town setting); Lone Star College System is in The Woodlands, TX (Small Suburban setting).
• Trinity Valley 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: Trinity Valley Community College 21:1; Lone Star College System 22:1.

TVCC vs. Lone Star College System Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TVCC 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 Trinity Valley Community College than Lone Star College System ($5,015 vs. $11,686).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Trinity Valley Community College are 30% lower than at Lone Star College System ($7,534 vs. $10,756).
• Lone Star College System is 51.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than TVCC (about $2,550 more per year; $7,470.00 vs. $4,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.3% higher at Lone Star College System than at Trinity Valley Community College (about $3,420 more per year; $9,390.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity Valley Community College than at Lone Star College System (65% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity Valley Community College students is 51.7% larger than aid received by Lone Star College System students ($9,582 vs. $6,315).

TVCC vs. Lone Star College System Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TVCC 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 TVCC.

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

TVCC vs. Lone Star College System Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TVCC 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 $4,400 more per year than TVCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,500 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity Valley Community College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Lone Star College System graduates ($9,250 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, TVCC graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lone Star College System graduates ($95 vs. $98).
• More TVCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lone Star College System students, three years after graduation. (30% 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.