Lone Star College System: A Comprehensive Overview

Lone Star College System (LSCS), formerly known as North Harris Montgomery Community College District and North Harris County College, stands as the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area. Serving the northern portions of the Greater Houston, Texas, area, LSCS welcomes over 97,000 students each semester. The institution is committed to providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education.

Leadership and Recognition

Mario K. Castillo, J.D., serves as the Chancellor of the Lone Star College System. The college system has also been recognized as a "Great Colleges to Work For" institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Mission and Values

Lone Star College System is dedicated to providing comprehensive educational opportunities and programs to enrich lives. The college envisions itself as a model institution globally recognized for exceptional success in student learning, completion, gainful employment, equity, and affordability.

Faculty members of Lone Star College System strive to cultivate world citizenry in their students. This involves fostering transcendent qualities such as respect, compassion, and innovation. The college aims to create a culture where learning thrives, people are safe, and the qualities of world citizenry are mirrored.

Campuses and Centers

The Lone Star College System comprises several colleges and centers spread across the Greater Houston area:

Lone Star College-CyFair: Opened in May 2002, located in unincorporated Harris County, with two centers.
Lone Star College-Montgomery: Opened in 1992, located in unincorporated Montgomery County.
Lone Star College-North Harris: Opened in 1973, located in unincorporated Harris County.
Lone Star College-Tomball: Opened in 1988, with two centers.
Lone Star College-University Park: Opened in December 2012, located in unincorporated Harris County.
Lone Star College-University Center at LSC-University Park: Opened in the spring of 2010, located in unincorporated Harris County.
Lone Star College-Houston North: Additional centers include Fallbrook, Victory Center, East Aldine Center, and a campus in Greenspoint.
Lone Star College-Kingwood: Includes a satellite center in Atascocita and a Process Technology Center.
Lone Star College-Conroe Center: Established with donated land.
Lone Star College-Creekside Center: Offers opportunities in the Creekside area.
CHI LSC-North Harris School of Cosmetology: Provides cosmetology training.
LSC-Construction and Skilled Trades Technology Center: Focuses on construction and skilled trades.
Health Professions Building (LSC-North Harris): Dedicated to medical careers.
LSC-Transportation & Global Logistics Technology Center: Focuses on transportation and logistics.
Lone Star College-Magnolia Center: A new center in Magnolia.
LSC-Tomball Health Science Building: Dedicated to health sciences.
Energy and Manufacturing Institute (LSC-University Park): Focuses on energy and manufacturing.

The system offices are located at The Woodlands and Lone Star College-University Park.

Academic Profile

Lone Star College System is a very large, 4-year, public college. The college offers certificate, associate, and bachelor's degrees. The college operates on a semester-based academic calendar. The student-faculty ratio is 21-to-1. The highest degree offered is an associate degree, but Lone Star College also offers four-year degrees. The college has an open admissions policy and offers credit for life experiences.

In the academic year 2020-2021, in-district tuition and fees were $2,160, in-state tuition and fees were $4,848, and out-of-state tuition and fees were $6,168. There is no application fee. Students can earn degrees and certificates in 53 different fields. Popular programs include:

Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
Early Childhood Education and Teaching

The college also provides a range of services to support students, including employment services, academic/career counseling, placement services, and on-campus day care.

Student Life

Student life at Lone Star College increasingly utilizes digital platforms for peer-to-peer support.

Financials

In 2022-2023, 27% of undergraduates received grant or scholarship aid, with the average award being $3,885.

Economic Impact

Lone Star College is a major contributor to the local and regional Houston economy. Students will receive a present value of $1.9 billion in increased earnings over their working lives. This translates to a return of $6.00 in higher future earnings for every dollar that students invest in their education at LSC. The state of Texas will receive an estimated present value of $11.1 billion in added state revenue over the course of the students’ working lives. Taxpayers provided $388.9 million of state and local funding to LSC in FY 2022-23. In return, taxpayers will receive an estimated present value of $716.3 million in added tax revenue stemming from the students’ higher lifetime earnings investment analysis and the increased output of businesses.

Bond Elections

Lone Star College System has sought voter approval for bond referendums to fund the creation of more learning facilities and opportunities:

November 4, 2014: Voters approved a $485 million bond referendum.
May 11, 2013: A $497.7 million bond referendum was not approved.
May 10, 2008: Voters approved a $420 million bond election.

Safety and Security

Lone Star College System has experienced incidents that have impacted campus safety:

January 22, 2013: The North Harris County campus was put on lockdown due to a shooting.
April 9, 2013: The Cy-Fair campus was put on lockdown after a student started stabbing people.

Accreditation

Lone Star College System holds various accreditations, demonstrating its commitment to quality and standards in education:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC)
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)

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