HOUSTON (Sept. 19, 2016) – Lone Star College welcomed a record 85,661 credit students for fall 2016, representing a 2 percent increase in credit student enrollment over fall 2015.

“Lone Star College is becoming the first choice of more and more students,” said Dr. Stephen C. Head, LSC chancellor. “When you factor in our low cost of tuition, being close to home and the personal attention students receive in our small classes, you can understand why they choose Lone Star College first.”

Since 2006, LSC has grown its student population from 46,058 to 85,661, representing an 86 percent increase. Enrollment figures are recorded each fall on “Official Day,” 10 days after the start of fall semester classes.

LSC-CyFair – which was the first Lone Star College to enroll more than 20,000 students in fall 2014 – recorded a 5 percent increase in credit student enrollment for this year, welcoming more than 21,600 students. LSC-University Park had the largest percentage of increase – 10 percent – as it welcomed 12,024 students this fall.

Other official day enrollment figures at LSC were; LSC-Kingwood – 12,287; LSC-Montgomery – 14,411; LSC-North Harris – 16,290; and LSC-Tomball – 9,013 students.

The LSC student population mirrors the community it serves. This fall, Hispanics represented the largest demographic group with 38.1 percent of credit students or 32,626 students. In addition, 27,366 students (31.9 percent) are white; 12,878 (15 percent) are black; and 6,263 (7.3 percent) are Asian. The remaining students are identified as American Indian, multi-ethic or did not specify their ethnicity.

In fall 2016, nearly 8,000 area high school seniors selected LSC as their first choice the fall after they graduated from high school, but LSC also has many non-typical college students – 29.7 percent are age 25 and older and 69.5 percent attend part-time. LSC also welcomed 1,760 international students in fall 2016 from more than 100 countries.

LSC now has a total student population of nearly 98,000 students, when including non-credit workforce and community education students, making it the largest institution of higher education in the greater Houston area and one of the fastest-growing in the nation.

Known for its leadership, innovation and steadfast commitment to student success, Lone Star College provides high-quality academic transfer and workforce education / career training programs to more than 85,000 credit students each semester, and a total enrollment of nearly 98,000 students. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to promote student success and economic prosperity. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, which consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.