Central Alabama Community College vs. Lawson State Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL with Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Lawson State Community College is larger than Central Alabama Community College based on total student enrollment (3,453 students vs. 2,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Alabama Community College is located in Alexander City, AL (Rural Fringe setting); Lawson State Community College is in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting).
• Central Alabama Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Lawson State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Alabama Community College 16:1; Lawson State Community College 19:1.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Lawson State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Alabama Community College or Lawson State Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Lawson State Community College than Central Alabama Community College ($6,578 vs. $16,072).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawson State Community College are 65.5% lower than at Central Alabama Community College ($4,760 vs. $13,804).
• Central Alabama Community College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Lawson State Community College (about $70 more per year; $5,110.00 vs. $5,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Central Alabama Community College than at Lawson State Community College (about $70 more per year; $8,980.00 vs. $8,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawson State Community College than at Central Alabama Community College (95% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawson State Community College students is 18.3% larger than aid received by Central Alabama Community College students ($8,236 vs. $6,961).

Central Alabama Community College vs. Lawson State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Alabama Community College or Lawson State Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Lawson State Community College and Central Alabama Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Alabama Community College - Open admission; Lawson State Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Alabama Community College Aug 1, 2027.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Lawson State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Alabama Community College and Lawson State Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Central Alabama Community College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Lawson State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,900 vs. $26,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.