Samford University vs Lawson State Community College: which has better ROI?
Samford University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $130,488 in 12.9 years versus not at all at Lawson State Community College, on median earnings of $58,469 vs $31,701 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Samford University | Lawson State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $32,622 | $6,275 |
| Total net cost | $130,488 | $12,550 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $58,469 | $31,701 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | — |
| Payback | 12.9 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $71,692 | -$345,730 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Samford University or Lawson State Community College?
Lawson State Community College, at $6,275 a year after aid versus $32,622 — a gap of $26,347 a year, or $117,938 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Samford University or Lawson State Community College graduates earn more?
Samford University graduates report a median $58,469 ten years after entry, $26,768 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?
77% of students finish at Samford University, 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.