Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
Earnings growth demonstrates steady progression over the post-graduation period. Six-year earnings of $32,889 increase to $36,919 at eight years and $42,466 at ten years, representing 29.1% growth from the six-year mark.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $8,600 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
Student debt levels at Lone Star College System rank exceptionally well nationally and compared to peer institutions. Median debt reaches just $8,600, placing the institution at the 86th percentile for low debt levels and $10,900 below the peer median of $19,500.
Lone Star College System demonstrates modestly below average return performance, ranking at the 30.2nd percentile nationally. While graduates earn $42,466 ten years after enrollment, this falls $15,158 below the peer median of $57,624.
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
While specific program-level earnings data is not available through federal reporting, Lone Star College System's substantial graduate cohorts of over 15,000 students indicate comprehensive programming across multiple disciplines. The institution's role as a community college system supports diverse career pathways through associate degrees, certificates, and transfer preparation.
With 60.7% transfer students, the system demonstrates strong academic preparation for students continuing to four-year institutions. The earnings variation from $21,624 to $63,661 reflects diverse program outcomes and career trajectories, supporting the institution's mission to provide accessible pathways across multiple fields and credential types.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
The earnings distribution at Lone Star spans from $21,624 at the 25th percentile to $63,661 at the 75th percentile, creating substantial variation in outcomes. Low-income graduates earn $38,000, reflecting the institution's commitment to serving diverse economic backgrounds.
