GSCC vs. Lawson State Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Gadsden State Community College is larger than Lawson State Community College based on total student enrollment (5,071 students vs. 3,453 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gadsden State Community College is located in Gadsden, AL (Small City setting); Lawson State Community College is in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting).
• Gadsden State 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: Gadsden State Community College 17:1; Lawson State Community College 19:1.

GSCC vs. Lawson State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSCC 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 Gadsden State Community College than Lawson State Community College ($3,384 vs. $6,578).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawson State Community College are 11.9% lower than at Gadsden State Community College ($4,760 vs. $5,400).
• Lawson State Community College is 18% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSCC (about $768 more per year; $5,040.00 vs. $4,272.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Lawson State Community College than at Gadsden State Community College (about $1,542 more per year; $8,910.00 vs. $7,368.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawson State Community College than at Gadsden State Community College (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawson State Community College students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Gadsden State Community College students ($8,236 vs. $6,758).

GSCC vs. Lawson State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSCC 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 GSCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: GSCC - Open admission; Lawson State Community College - Open admission.

GSCC vs. Lawson State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSCC 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 Gadsden State Community College earn a median of about $2,400 more per year than Lawson State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,300 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.