What Laredo College is like

What it's like

Laredo College is a public community college serving the Laredo region and surrounding counties in South Texas. Founded in 1947, it operates two campuses and serves approximately 8,700–8,800 students. The college focuses on affordable, accessible higher education with an emphasis on workforce development and transfer pathways.

Academic feel

LC offers associate degree programs and specialized certificates across diverse fields. The college has invested in nursing and allied health programs, which have been recognized for quality. Research activity spans psychology (34 works), sociology (28 works), computer science (26 works), mathematics education (24 works), biology (21 works), and chemistry (13 works) according to institutional research affiliations. The South Campus includes an Academic and Advanced Technology Center with computer and science laboratories and distance education classrooms.

What you should consider

LC is designed to serve working-class and first-generation students seeking affordable pathways to credentials and degrees. The college's low tuition and exceptionally low student debt burden (averaging $2,000 at graduation, compared to a national average of $27,000) make it accessible to students with limited financial resources. The South Campus facilities, including the Hall Student Center with financial aid and counseling services, support student retention and engagement.

Strengths

• Ranked tenth among Texas two-year colleges in 2015 and 2016 by BestColleges.com, recognized for affordable tuition, variety of associate degree programs, and quality nursing and allied health programs.[1]
• In 2016, ranked first in the nation for the least amount of debt accumulated by departing students, with an average debt of $2,000 compared to the national average of $27,000.[1]
• Operates two campuses, including the historic Fort McIntosh Main Campus with over thirty buildings and a 60-acre South Campus completed in 2004 with seven academic and student support buildings.[1]

Weaknesses

• In July 2012, placed on twelve months of probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for failure to comply with comprehensive standards; accreditation was restored in June 2013 after correcting deficiencies.[1]
• Enrollment declined for four consecutive years between 2011 and 2015, with a three-year graduation rate of 14 percent as of 2010.[1]