With numerous universities and technical colleges scattered in the Houston area, community colleges are the leading source for education for individuals who want a quality education with the fraction of the cost. Here are a list of the four community colleges that resides in the Houston area.
Lone Star College System:
With 49,250 students, it is the largest community college in the Houston area and third-largest community college district in Texas.
Locations: CyFair, Kingwood, Montgomery, North Harris, Tomball, University Center, and Online
Best known programs: Fire Science Technology, Sonography, Biotechnology, and Automotive Technology.
What’s unique about Lone Star College: is their partner school, University Center, which let students obtain a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree with several universities in Houston and surrounding areas. The participating universities that are in partnership with Lone Star College include Prairie View A&M; University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M; University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, and University of Houston Downtown. Over sixty-five programs are offered at University Center, including twenty-nine bachelor’s degrees and thirty-three master’s degree programs, so students have a lot to choose from to further their post-secondary education.
Tuition: Cost of tuition is based on your residency in Texas. For a 12 hour (4 courses) semester, 12 hours (4 courses):
In-District: 600
Out-District: 1440
Out of State: 1620
To help out any financial issues, there are several options. With installment plans, you can pay for your tuition and fees through the flexibility of spreading out your payments of the course of the semester. To enroll in the plan, you have to pay a $20 payment plan administration fee plus 50% of total tuition and fees at time of enrollment.
Financial Aid: Financial aid can be based upon academic achievement or financial need. A personal visit with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend is required for new students and recommended for returning students. The various types of financial aid include scholarships, grants, student loans, and work study.
Sports: Sports are also a huge part of Lone Star College’s success as many of its teams have obtained numerous awards for their efforts in Tennis, Volleyball, and Dance. Each campus has separate teams and some campuses have even competed against each other in various interactions.
Website: www.lonestar.edu
San Jacinto College:
At San Jacinto College, students can develop leadership skills in activities such as recreational sports, religion, music, speech, and civic and social clubs.
Campuses: San Jacinto Central, San Jacinto North, San Jacinto South
Programs Offered: A/V Technology & Communications, Business, Management & Administration, Education and Training, Government and Public Administration, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Human Services, Information Technology, and Marketing Sales
Student Services: childcare centers, financial aid, job placement, veterans’ information, bookstores, libraries, counseling, testing services and assistance for special populations.
Seminars: Whether you are high school graduate or a transfer student, new enrollees have to attend workshops to become familiar with the school as well as get started on their career. Workshops include topics on note taking in college classes, time management, communications with professors, and using college support services.
Tuition:
In-District: $526
Out- of- District/ Out-of-State: $1426
Sports: The Sports program at San Jac is truly impressive. Known for its numerous awards in baseball and basketball, San Jacinto College has maintained outstanding sports teams through the hard work of coaches, the staff, and their players who have advanced to greater ventures in professional sports.
What’s unique about San Jacinto College: Is it alumni, which include Patrick Swayze, Steve Francis, Roger Clemens, and Sam Cassell.
Website: http://www.sjcd.edu/
Wharton County Junior College:
Located in Wharton, TX, Wharton Junior College offers a wide range of postsecondary educational programs and services including associate degrees, certificates, and continuing education courses.
Campuses: Wharton (main campus), Sugar Land, Bay City
Programs Offered: Allied Health, Communication and Fine Arts, Life Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Vocational Science, Public Service Training and Kid’s College
Tuition: For 12 hour semester the prices are:
In-District: $768
Out- District: $1320
Out- of- State: $1704
What’s Unique about Wharton Junior College: is Kid’s College, which allows students from Kindergarten to 12 grade to stimulate their minds in courses geared to them and their grade levels. Courses offered include computer classes, language arts, math, science, the arts, special studies, sports, and dance.
Website:http://www.wcjc.edu/index.asp
Houston Community College: Houston Community College is one of the largest community colleges in the United States. Known for its diversity and prestige in the Houston community, the college serves in Texas areas such as Houston, Missouri City, and Stafford.
Campuses: Central, Willie Gay Hall, Coleman College of Health Sciences, Codwell Hall, Northline , Katy , Spring Branch, Eastside, Alief, Gulfton, Missouri City, West Loop, and Stafford
Programs Offered: A variety of programs are offered at HCC, including Broadcast Technology, Nursing, Business Management, Business Administration, Fashion Design and Merchandising
Tuition: Tuition varies for certain districts. For a 12 hour semester, the prices are:
In-District: $678.00
Out of District: 1,326.00
Out of State: $1,566.00
Payment Options: Payment plans are available for students as well as financial aid. For more information regarding both options, please visit the website at www.hccs.edu to find a location that is suitable for you.
What’s Unique about HCC: is its diversity. Each campus has something to offer their students and it shows in high enrollment each campus endured for each semester. Each campus has wonderful instructors as well as a great staff that help students with various questions.
Website: www.hccs.edu
