Head-to-head · 2026
Lawson State Community College vs University of South Alabama
Compare average net price ($6,275 at Lawson State Community College; $17,648 at University of South Alabama), ROI score (12.63 vs 6.99), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($31,701 vs $49,379), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Lawson State Community College; 71% at University of South Alabama) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Lawson State Community College | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.63 ✓ | 6.99 |
| Avg net price | $6,275 ✓ | $17,648 |
| 4-year avg net price | $25,100 ✓ | $70,592 |
| In-state tuition | $5,040 | $10,116 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,910 | $19,092 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $31,701 | $49,379 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 71% |
| Graduation rate | 26.6% | 52.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 59.5% | 75.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $24,929 |
| Enrollment | 2,900 | 8,879 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1147 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Lawson State Community College | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,102 ✓ | $12,657 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,464 ✓ | $13,265 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,151 ✓ | $16,277 |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,449 ✓ | $23,252 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $25,322 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Lawson State Community College | University of South Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.4% | 35.4% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 5.9% | 3.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 3.9% | 1.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.9% | 1.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 0.8% | 2.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.5% | 1.1% |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Lawson State Community College reports the lower average net price by $11,373 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $45,492 difference over four years ($25,100 vs $70,592).
University of South Alabama reports $17,678 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($49,379 vs $31,701). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 59.5% at Lawson State Community College and 75.7% at University of South Alabama. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Lawson State Community College vs University of South Alabama, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Lawson State Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,275 per year vs $17,648 at University of South Alabama. The annual difference of $11,373 adds up to about $45,492 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of South Alabama reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $49,379 vs $31,701 at Lawson State Community College. The gap in the federal data is $17,678. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.