Lone Star College System was again ranked as Number 1 in the list of Largest Houston-Area Colleges and Universities published annually by the Houston Business Journal.
LSCS had 77,877 students representing nearly 25 percent of the total number of students attending classes in the Houston area, according to the list. The Houston Business Journal list does not include students who attended LSCS for non-credit or continuing education courses – for a total enrollment at LSCS of 90,000 students.
The ranking was published in the Dec. 6, edition of the Houston Business Journal and also appears in the Houston Business Journal 2014 Book of Lists which ranks local colleges and universities based on 2012 fall enrollment.
“We are pleased that so many students turn to Lone Star College System to pursue their academic goals,” said Dr. Richard Carpenter, LSCS chancellor. “The credit goes to our outstanding faculty and staff members who work tirelessly to ensure all of our students receive a world class education.”
While LSCS continues to be the largest Houston-area higher education institution, it maintains a 17 to 1 student to teacher ratio offering students an intimate classroom environment to further encourage student success.
The HBJ list also cited the affordability of attending LSC. It lists the cost of annual tuition at LSC at $1,744, compared to the University of Houston which is $10,272.
An education at LSC offers an economical path to success for many transfer students who start at LSC and transfer to a four-year university. In Texas, 78 percent of all college students who completed a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school were previously enrolled at a two-year institution like LSC, according to a recent study by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
Second on the HBJ list was Houston Community College with a fall 2012 student enrollment of 56,831 followed by the University of Houston, 40,747 students; San Jacinto College District, 30,220 students; and the University of Houston-Downtown, 13,916 students.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and the fastest-growing community college system in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online.