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Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, Texas · Public college
Address: 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381 · Phone: (832) 813-6500 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Aug 2024 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · American Occupational Therapy Association; Jun 2025 · Renewal of Accreditation.
Lone Star College System is a public trade and career school in The Woodlands, Texas, offering welding, HVAC, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of Lone Star College System carry a median debt of $8,600 and earn a median of $42,466 ten years after entry; the campus completion rate compared to the state average of 63.5% is not reported.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact Lone Star College System for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 23.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,380 | $53,340 | $64,770 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $38,100 | $57,760 | $69,860 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $29,360 | $48,310 | $62,270 |
| Electricians | $37,920 | $58,570 | $71,130 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $30,320 | $37,260 | $44,240 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $48,550 | $78,630 | $93,830 |
| Medical assistants | $31,200 | $39,520 | $46,180 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,580 | $30,680 | $47,180 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $40,930 | $58,810 | $70,400 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $48,910 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,920 | $45,900 | $48,960 |
| Medical records specialists | $34,440 | $48,860 | $63,970 |
| Surgical technologists | $39,950 | $65,220 | $80,790 |
| Dental hygienists | $71,530 | $99,240 | $107,320 |
| Massage therapists | $34,870 | $59,370 | $73,910 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Texas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 132 | $34,938 | $27,669 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 120 | $39,884 | $27,476 | $3,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 92 | not reported | $31,839 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 90 | $39,884 | $27,476 | $3,500 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 82 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 71 | $34,938 | $27,669 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 70 | $39,884 | $27,476 | $3,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 63 | $60,667 | $57,920 | $5,250 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 54 | $39,095 | $42,682 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 54 | not reported | $31,839 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 50 | $18,726 | $16,293 | $5,399 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 48 | $38,516 | $38,829 | $9,312 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 45 | not reported | $33,281 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 44 | $39,434 | $47,686 | $8,042 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 36 | $47,856 | $51,707 | $8,453 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 36 | not reported | $31,839 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 35 | not reported | $42,682 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 33 | $60,667 | $57,920 | $5,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 33 | $47,856 | $51,707 | $8,453 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 33 | not reported | $29,685 | $5,625 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 32 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 28 | not reported | $29,685 | $5,625 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 27 | $47,856 | $51,707 | $8,453 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $60,667 | $57,920 | $5,250 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | $18,726 | $16,293 | $5,399 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 21 | $47,856 | $51,707 | $8,453 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 20 | $39,434 | $47,686 | $8,042 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | $31,839 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 13 | not reported | $33,281 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | $60,667 | $57,920 | $5,250 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 7 | $39,434 | $47,686 | $8,042 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | $60,667 | $57,920 | $5,250 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Lone Star College System is a public trade and career school located in The Woodlands, Texas. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and students can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, to help pay for programs here. Among its 39 trade programs, the campus awards the most credentials in welding schools (334 completers), HVAC schools (238 completers), and auto mechanic schools (191 completers).
Across all programs, the college enrolled 45,188 undergraduate students, with 1,532 trade program completers. Federal data shows the state average completion rate is 63.5%, though this campus's own completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $8,600, and median earnings ten years after entry were $42,466. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 23.3% of students received Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income students attend this campus.
With a broad mix of short-term trade certificates and longer technical programs across fields like welding, HVAC, automotive, and healthcare, this campus setting in a midsize city may suit both recent graduates and adult career changers, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school, since some figures, like completion rate comparisons and cost of attendance, are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Lone Star College System offers 39 trade programs across families including welding, HVAC, auto mechanics, electrician, EMT, radiology tech, medical assistant, cosmetology, diesel mechanic, LPN, pharmacy tech, medical billing and coding, surgical tech, dental hygiene, and massage therapy. The top programs by completions are welding schools, HVAC schools, and auto mechanic schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Lone Star College System is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and its accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants here. About 23.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
This campus's specific completion rate and its comparison to the state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. The state average completion rate is 63.5%, for reference.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $8,600, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates ten years after entry were $42,466, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly or check the College Scorecard for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Lone Star College System is a public institution, which often means lower published tuition rates for in-state residents compared to private for-profit schools, though this campus's own cost figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly at (832) 813-6500 or visit lonestar.edu for program duration details.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?227182.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a wide range of trade programs from welding to healthcare fields in a midsize city setting, but specific scheduling or program-length details needed to judge fit for adult career changers are not reported here; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to ask about requirements for specific programs like welding, HVAC, or EMT training.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Lone Star College System at (832) 813-6500 or visit https://www.lonestar.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; use the College Scorecard link to look up other institutions in Texas for comparison.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.