Lone Star College System (North Harris Montgomery|North Harris|NHMCCD|N Harris Montgomery|King) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Lone Star College has open enrollment - no GPA minimum, no SAT or ACT required for admission, and a $0 application fee. You just need a high school diploma or GED. But here's what surprises almost every new student: all degree-seeking students are required to complete the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA2) before registering for most college-level courses. This state-mandated test measures your readiness in English language arts and math, and your scores determine which courses you can enter. If you score below college-level readiness, you'll be required to take developmental courses that don't count toward your degree - costing you time and money. You can avoid the TSIA2 entirely if you qualify for a state exemption: an SAT composite of 1070+ (with at least 500 on the reading section) exempts you from the reading and writing sections; a 500+ on the SAT math section or 19+ on the ACT math section exempts you from the math section. A passing Algebra II STAAR EOC score (Level 2, 4000+), completion of a dual credit college prep course at an LSC-partnered school, or prior college coursework at an accredited institution can also exempt you. If you have SAT or ACT scores from high school, submit them to LSC (school code 006508) before your first semester - even if you weren't planning to use them for college admissions - to skip the placement test and move directly into credit-bearing coursework.

Lone Star isn't one campus - it's eight colleges with distinct strengths across Harris, Montgomery, and surrounding counties, all under one accreditation. If your goal is nursing or public health, LSC-North Harris (the system's original campus, founded 1973) has the deepest clinical infrastructure. If you're interested in science or biotechnology, LSC-Montgomery (Conroe area) runs strong science programs backed by regional industry connections. LSC-Tomball specializes in health sciences and veterinary technology. LSC-Kingwood is known for visual and performing arts. LSC-CyFair is the system's fastest-growing campus. LSC-University Park in The Woodlands offers modern tech-rich facilities positioned near the area's corporate research community, while LSC-Houston North serves a community-centric urban student population. You can register for courses at any campus once enrolled, but your home campus affects advising relationships, program access, and community feel. Research which campus aligns with your specific program before applying through ApplyTexas.

Lone Star College now offers bachelor's degrees - a rare capability for a Texas community college system. Current bachelor's programs include: Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Applied Science in Emergency Management, Bachelor of Applied Technology in Energy/Manufacturing/Trades Management, and the Bachelor of Science RN-to-BSN for working registered nurses. A Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching (BAS ECET) launched in fall 2026 with an initial cohort of 150 students, funded in part by a $200,000 Houston Endowment grant - specifically designed to address the Houston-area teacher shortage for early childhood through grade-6 educators. These are not transfer programs - they are full bachelor's degrees awarded by LSC itself at community college tuition rates ($99/credit hour for Dallas County residents). If your career path is in cybersecurity, trades management, emergency services, or early childhood education, you can complete a full bachelor's degree without ever leaving the LSC system. Students who fulfill Texas Core and general elective requirements upon admission may qualify for a fast-track completion pathway. Contact the Department Chair and Executive Dean for your target program early, as work experience is also evaluated as part of bachelor's program admission.

Every first-time-in-college (FTIC) student at LSC is required to complete New Student Orientation (NSO) before registering for classes. This is not optional and is not waived for students who feel experienced or prepared. NSO comes in three formats: face-to-face on campus, virtual (NSO Live), or on-demand online (for students taking all classes online). You also need to complete the Campus Health, Safety, and Risk Management Awareness (CHSRMA) modules, which are done online and must be finished before you can register. One more step many students miss: if you are under 22 and attending any face-to-face class at an LSC campus, you must submit proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccination at least 10 days before your first class meeting. This is a Texas state requirement, not an LSC-specific policy, and it applies even if you've been vaccinated before - the documentation must be on file. If you're under 22 and plan to take even one in-person class, handle the meningitis vaccination documentation immediately after applying, well before your registration window opens.