Business/Commerce, General at Lone Star College System
one of the larger campuses at 47,486 students in The Woodlands, TX.
Program Analysis
At $32,376/yr, Business/Commerce, General 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/Commerce, General 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/Commerce, General 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/Commerce, General reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Business/Commerce, General 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% |
About Business/Commerce, General Careers
Your career in business often starts by mastering a specific function. You might begin as a project coordinator, using tools like Asana and Slack to keep teams on schedule, or as a management analyst, digging into spreadsheets and interviewing staff to pinpoint how a company can improve efficiency. Your days are a mix of collaboration, problem-solving, and communicating your findings to leadership. As you gain experience, you’ll progress from executing tasks to directing them, becoming an operations manager who oversees a department’s budget and staff or a sales manager leading a team to hit its targets.
Compare & Explore
Business/Commerce, General Overview
Business/Commerce, General 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.