Institutional Research · Enrollment · Outcomes
Institutional data about Lawson State Community College — enrollment, demographics, student outcomes, and quick facts. Data reported to federal and state agencies is available through the links below.
At a Glance
Year Founded
One of Alabama's oldest HBCUs
Students Enrolled
Total enrollment, Fall 2024
Programs Offered
Degrees, diplomas, certificates
Per Credit Hour
In-state tuition — among Alabama's lowest
Campuses
Birmingham and Bessemer
Years of History
Serving Birmingham since 1949
Varsity Sports
NJCAA — Cougar Athletics
Job Placement Rate
2024 Annual Report
Student Profile
Source: Lawson State 2024 Annual Report, Institutional Research (9/17/24). See IPEDS for official federal figures.
Student Success
Job Placement Rate
72.12% of graduates are placed in their field of study or continue their education, per the 2024 Annual Report.
Economic Impact
Lawson State added $368.1 million in income to the local economy in FY 2023-24, supporting 4,765 jobs. Source: Lightcast Economic Impact Report, 2025.
Lifetime Earnings Premium
The average Lawson State associate degree graduate earns $10,100 more annually than a high school diploma holder — $404,000 over a working lifetime.
Return on Investment
Students earn $7.90 in lifetime earnings for every $1 invested in their education — a 26.4% average annual rate of return. Source: Lightcast Economic Impact Report, 2025.
Graduation Rate (IPEDS)
On-time completion rates are tracked and reported annually to IPEDS. See College Navigator for current data.
SACSCOC-Reported · Institutional Goals
Lawson State sets internal threshold targets for student success and measures itself against them annually, per SACSCOC requirements. The College has met every benchmark below.
Course Completion
Met6-year average, including COVID years
Fall-to-Fall Retention
MetFull- and part-time combined
Graduation Rate
Met2024, 150% IPEDS time-to-completion
Transfer-Ready Rate
MetA.A./A.S. share of annual awards, 2022–2024
NCLEX Licensure Pass Rate
MetADN, 2024 — exceeded 3 straight testing cycles
Job Placement Rate
Met2023–24, vs. 75.2% state target
2024 Graduation Rate vs. Alabama Two-Year Peers
Source: Alabama Commission of Higher Education, 2024 comparison data.
NCLEX Licensure Pass Rates — Nursing Programs
| Year | Tested | Passed | ADN Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 47 | 45 | 95.7% |
| 2021 | 39 | 35 | 89.7% |
| 2022 | 30 | 25 | 83.3% |
| 2023 | 42 | 40 | 95.24% |
| 2024 | 36 | 35 | 97.22% |
| Year | Tested | Passed | PN Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 21 | 21 | 100% |
| 2021 | 18 | 17 | 94.4% |
| 2022 | 23 | 22 | 95.7% |
| 2023 | 17 | 17 | 100% |
| 2024 | 14 | 12 | 85.7% |
State benchmark: 80% for both programs. Source: Alabama Board of Nursing.
Financial Transparency · Revenue Sources
Federal Grants & Aid
Pell Grants, federal grants and contracts — the largest revenue source for a high-Pell-eligibility institution.
State Appropriations
Operating and state/local grant funding allocated through the Alabama Community College System.
Capital Appropriations
State funding for facilities, equipment, and capital projects.
Tuition & Fees
In-state tuition of $131/credit hour, net of scholarships — kept deliberately low.
Source: Lawson State Community College Financial Statements, FY ended September 30, 2023 (Warren Averett, LLC, independent auditors). Percentages rounded.
Published Documents
| Period | Report | Type | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2023 | Financial Statements (Audited) | Audited | View PDF → FY 2023 Financial Statements (Audited) (opens in new tab) |
| FY 2023 | Single Audit Report | Federal | View PDF → FY 2023 Single Audit Report (opens in new tab) |
| Current | ACCS Financial Disclosures | ACCS | View PDF → Current ACCS Financial Disclosures (opens in new tab) |
Official Data Sources
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