Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Birmingham, Alabama
Lawson State Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$15,028Annual Cost
$31,701Grad Salary
59.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,564
Need-Based Aid
59.8% receive Pell
Lawson State Community College, founded in 1949, is a public HBCU in Birmingham, Alabama. It offers programs in culinary arts, construction, and IT. The campus features a hospitality training center and a automotive technology complex.
LSCC is unranked but pivotal for Alabama's workforce development. Its urban location provides access to healthcare and manufacturing internships.
Lawson State Community College Acceptance Rate
Lawson State Community College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Lawson State Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Lawson State Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Lawson State Community College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Lawson State Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Lawson State Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Lawson State Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Lawson State Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Choose the correct high-school track deliberately: Dual Enrollment vs. Accelerated High School
These are two distinct programs with different rules - Accelerated High School requires the student to have completed 10th grade (11th/12th only), a 3.0 unweighted GPA, and ends automatically at high school graduation, while standard Dual Enrollment has its own pathway structure (General Education & Health Professions, Construction, Computer Science, Business, Automotive, Manufacturing, Service Career). A family should pick the track based on the student's grade level and GPA first, then select a pathway aligned with the student's intended major, rather than assuming "dual enrollment" is one single program.
Confirm your dual-enrollment program is grant-funded before assuming free tuition
Not every Lawson State dual-enrollment program qualifies for the Alabama Community College System Dual Enrollment Scholarship - a student should ask their Enrollment Specialist directly which of their chosen pathway's courses are grant-eligible before registering, since some courses within an otherwise-funded pathway may still require self-pay if they fall outside the grant's scope.
Dual-enrolled students: submit an ACT/SAT score or schedule Accuplacer immediately, don't wait for a final GPA
Because dual-enrollment students haven't graduated high school, Lawson State cannot use a final high school GPA for placement - dual enrollment students specifically must submit ACT/SAT scores or take the Accuplacer placement test, unlike graduated students who can sometimes use GPA-based placement exemptions. A family should treat this as a hard requirement to schedule immediately upon acceptance rather than assuming grades alone will place the student into the right starting course.
Use the Miles College guaranteed-admission partnership if a four-year HBCU degree is the goal
Lawson State has a direct partnership with Miles College, an HBCU four miles away, that facilitates admission for Lawson State associate-degree graduates who maintain a 2.0 GPA or better. A student planning to transfer to a four-year HBCU should treat this 2.0 GPA threshold as the number to protect throughout their associate degree, since it unlocks a smoother admissions path than applying to Miles College cold.
Expert Insight:
Because Lawson State markets "dual enrollment" broadly, families sometimes enroll a student in whichever pathway is easiest to schedule rather than the one aligned with the ACCS Dual Enrollment Scholarship's funded course list - then are surprised by an unexpected tuition bill for courses that looked identical to funded ones but fell outside the grant's specific eligibility.
Lawson State Community College Profile
Full Name
Lawson State Community College
City
Birmingham
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35221-1717
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Lawson State Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Lawson State Community College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Lawson State Community College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Lawson State Community College is $40,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 5.31%.
How much does a degree from Lawson State Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Lawson State Community College is $15,028. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Lawson State Community College is $6,564.
59.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Lawson State Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Lawson State Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Lawson State Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Lawson State Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $31,701. An average Lawson State Community College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Lawson State Community College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Lawson State Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Lawson State Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $31,701 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $15,028 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
59.8% of students at this university receive a Pell Grant — free money that does not need to be repaid. Your chances of need-based aid are strong. Submit your FAFSA as early as possible and list this institution as your choice to be considered for maximum aid.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.