Lone Star College System has once again been recognized as a top 10 producer of associate degrees nationally, ranking fourth among all community colleges in the U.S.

The 2014 list of Top 100 Associate Degree Producers by Community College Week magazine listed LSCS fourth in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges for the number of associate degrees it awarded. 

“The number one goal at Lone Star College is making sure our students succeed and achieve their goals,” said Dr. Steve Head, LSCS chancellor.  “Lone Star College comprises a richly diverse population. As our area continues to grow, our challenge will be to keep up with the demand and help our students fulfill their academic dreams.”

Based on the data, LSCS awarded 4,373 associate degrees to students in all disciplines for the 2012-2013 school year, which represents a 3.92 percent increase over degrees awarded in 2011-2012 by LSCS.

Currently, part-time and transfer students are not counted with those receiving an associate degree although they may have completed the required number of credits needed.

LSCS was also ranked fourth among community colleges nationwide in the 2014 list for the number of its Hispanic students receiving their associate degrees with 1,157 Hispanic graduates, representing 26 percent of the total graduates receiving an associate degree from LSCS.

Other notable rankings for LSCS in the Community College Week 2014 nationwide list include: 

• Second in Nursing, Registered Nursing, Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Degrees
• Second in Education Associate Degrees
• Third in Health Professions and Related Programs
• Fifth in all degrees among minorities

Dr. Head noted that LSCS has experienced a 57 percent increase in the student population in the past six years, adding more than 28,000 students from 2007 to 2013. Student enrollment increases are expected to continue as population projections show that the LSCS service area will gain an additional 241,846 residents by 2019.

The Top 100 Associate Degree Producers list is compiled by the magazine each year from data collected through the National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Set survey. The 2014 list published this week contains data from the 2012-13 academic year.

Community College Week, one of several national publications covering the education industry, publishes the rankings each August.

Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for more than 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 one of the fastest-growing community college systems in the nation.  Dr. Steve Head 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, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. 

                                                                         ####