Business at Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Business/Commerce, General

one of the larger campuses at 47,486 students in The Woodlands, TX.

Program Analysis

At $32,376/yr, Business graduates from Lone Star College System land near the $36,982 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 87.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Business carry above-average AI exposure (46% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $6,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Lone Star College System ranks #17 among 130 Business programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $32,376-to-$56,073 earnings arc over five years reflects a 73% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Business reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

77 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
77
Score
79
High End
Earnings $32,376/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$568K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,180
Out-of-state: $17,400
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,750
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,073
73% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Business — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Lone Star College System and 129 other schools.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lone Star College System

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business at Lone Star College System?
At 77/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How vulnerable is Business to AI automation?
The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Lone Star College System graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Business graduates from Lone Star College System?
At $6,750 in median debt, Business graduates from Lone Star College System carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Lone Star College System rank so high for Business?
The #17 ranking out of 130 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Business program at Lone Star College System?
If Lone Star College System's tuition gives you pause, consider that 8 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Business graduates?
Job availability for Business is strong — 832,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Lone Star College System graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →