Is Lawson State Community College Worth It?

Lawson State Community College gives you a low cost of entry, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you finish. At $6,564 a year, your total out-of-pocket is small compared to a four-year school, and that low price is the main thing working in your favor here. The median earnings ten years out sit near $31,700, which is a modest return that barely clears entry-level wages in the Birmingham area.

Your program choice is the whole ballgame. The associate nursing track pays off clearly, landing graduates around $50,900 in a metro with steady hospital demand. The mechanical engineering technology associate follows at about $40,500, and both credentials feed directly into local employers. The vehicle maintenance and environmental control certificates land near $29,000 to $29,700, enough to justify the short program length but not much of a climb. The general studies associate is the trap: at roughly $20,700, it earns less than the certificates and leaves you without a direct job path unless you transfer.

The biggest risk here is the 26% graduation rate. Most people who enroll do not finish, and a partial credential with even a small loan balance is the worst financial outcome. The low sticker price only helps you if you walk out with a diploma.

Net price barely moves across income bands under $75k, all sitting near $6,400 to $7,100. The one outlier is the $75k-$110k tier at $11,135, so if your family lands in that range, budget for nearly double what lower-income families pay.

This school fits you if you want the nursing or engineering technology track and can commit to finishing. If you are unsure of your major or leaning toward general studies, the return here is weak, and you should look at a transfer-focused plan instead.