Lawson State Community College vs Central Alabama Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lawson State Community College comes closer — median earnings $31,701 against a $12,550 total, vs $33,506 at Central Alabama Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Lawson State Community College | Central Alabama Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,275 | $15,996 |
| Total net cost | $12,550 | $63,984 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,701 | $33,506 |
| Median debt | — | $9,766 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$345,730 | -$361,064 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Lawson State Community College or Central Alabama Community College?
Lawson State Community College, at $6,275 a year after aid versus $15,996 — a gap of $9,721 a year, or $51,434 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Lawson State Community College or Central Alabama Community College graduates earn more?
Central Alabama Community College graduates report a median $33,506 ten years after entry, $1,805 more than the $31,701 at Lawson State Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
33% of students finish at Central Alabama Community College, against 27% at Lawson State Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.