About
Houston City College (HCC), also known as the Houston City College System (HCCS), is a public community college system that operates community colleges in Houston, Missouri City, Greater Katy, and Stafford in U.S. state of Texas. Founded in 1971 as Houston Community College, it is notable for actively recruiting internationally and for the large number of international students enrolled, over 5,700 in 2015. Its open enrollment policies, which do not require proficiency in English, are backed by a full-time 18-month English proficiency program and remedial courses.
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Pell equity
Non-Pell students graduate at a 30.0-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Academic programs at Houston Community College
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Top program families by completions
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Gender split
Race / ethnicity composition
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Houston Community College vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions Houston Community College selected for federal comparison reporting.
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectHouston Community College | 17% | — | 53,253 | $6,738 | Community College |
Austin Community College District | — | — | 39,727 | $6,306 | Baccalaureate |
Central New Mexico Community College | — | — | 19,342 | $3,454 | Community College |
City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College | — | — | 6,839 | $3,816 | Community College |
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College | — | — | 20,123 | $4,907 | Community College |
Cuyahoga Community College District | — | — | 17,840 | $4,538 | Community College |
El Paso Community College | — | — | 25,567 | $4,154 | Community College |
Hillsborough Community College | — | — | 21,483 | $4,929 | Community College |
Lone Star College System | — | — | 73,077 | $9,322 | Community College |
Los Angeles City College | — | — | 14,611 | $7,532 | Community College |
Mesa Community College | — | — | 17,077 | $13,438 | Community College |
Montgomery College | — | — | 18,835 | $7,240 | Community College |
Northern Virginia Community College | — | — | 56,457 | $8,554 | Community College |
Pima Community College | — | — | 16,283 | $3,123 | Community College |
Riverside City College | — | — | 21,730 | $4,026 | Community College |
San Antonio College | — | — | 19,901 | $5,290 | Community College |
San Jacinto Community College | — | — | 31,812 | $7,540 | Community College |
Tarrant County College District | — | — | 43,928 | $6,073 | Community College |
| Peer group median | 17% | — | 20,803 | $5,682 |
Houston Community College Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
The HCC Office of Research, Analytics & Decision Support is responsible for the collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of accurate and timely information on all aspects of HCC in support of institutional decision-making, planning and reporting.
Visit IR office pageResearch funding
External research funding from NSF, NIH, HERD, and federal spending sources.
Common Data Set (1)
The institution's official annual Common Data Set publications — the most detailed reference for enrollment, admissions, and outcomes.
Reports & documents (7)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardpublic.tableau.com
- Data definitionDefinitions | Houston City CollegeThis page from Houston City College provides definitions related to Title IX involving sex discrimination, sexual harassment, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence. It details actions and behaviors considered as violations under these terms within an educational setting, highlighting issues of safety, consent, and treatment based on sex.hccs.edu
- Data dictionaryData dictionary2026The Institutional Data page provides key reports and resources about Houston City College, aiding transparency, planning, and decision-making for students, families, faculty, staff, and the community. It includes tools like the Academic Dashboard, HCC Fact Book, and more, managed by the Research, Analytics & Decision Support department.hccs.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- GlossaryHouston Community College Approved Budget GlossaryThis document outlines the Houston Community College (HCC) System's budget details for the Fiscal Year 2024, emphasizing key sections like Unrestricted and Restricted Budgets, Auxiliary Enterprises, and the Capital and Technology Plan. The budget development process focuses on strategic alignment to address evolving student needs, inflation, and institutional priorities while maintaining long-term fiscal sustainability. It describes significant changes in revenue sources including state appropriations, ad valorem taxes, and tuition fees. The glossary provides key terms related to the financial management and governance of the institution.hccs.edu
- GlossaryTextbook Savings Program GlossaryThe Textbook Savings Program Glossary from Houston City College outlines strategies to reduce course material costs through Zero Cost Books, Low-Cost Books, and First Day – Inclusive Access. The glossary defines key terms related to these initiatives, focusing on affordability and equity in providing educational resources.hccs.edu
- Strategic planStrategic Plan | Houston City College2026Houston City College's Strategic Plan aims to position the institution for future success through continuous updates and strategic enhancements. A key component is the Quality Enhancement Plan, which focuses on improving student success and completion rates over the next five years as part of the college's accreditation process. This plan is essential in supporting HCC’s mission, vision, and long-term strategic goals.hccs.edu
Grants & funding (1)
Federal grant awards and open funding opportunities awarded to this institution.
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