University of Alabama at Birmingham vs Lawson State Community College: which has better ROI?
University of Alabama at Birmingham has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,996 in 12.2 years versus not at all at Lawson State Community College, on median earnings of $54,501 vs $31,701 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Lawson State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,749 | $6,275 |
| Total net cost | $74,996 | $12,550 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,501 | $31,701 |
| Median debt | $22,300 | — |
| Payback | 12.2 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $47,824 | -$345,730 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Lawson State Community College?
Lawson State Community College, at $6,275 a year after aid versus $18,749 — a gap of $12,474 a year, or $62,446 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Alabama at Birmingham or Lawson State Community College graduates earn more?
University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates report a median $54,501 ten years after entry, $22,800 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?
64% of students finish at University of Alabama at Birmingham, 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.