Lawson State Community College

What Lawson State Community College does

Lawson State Community College is a public two-year community college in Alabama, operating since 1949 as part of the Alabama Community College System and designated as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The institution enrolls more than 3,000 students across two campuses in Bessemer and Birmingham, awarding approximately 600 degrees annually and transferring 30% of graduates to four-year institutions. Its 200 programs span four academic divisions: Career and Technical Education (automotive, welding, HVAC, construction), College Transfer (AA/AS degrees), Business and Information Technologies (including Cybersecurity), and Health Professions (Nursing, RAD Tech, EMS, Dental, Sonography).

The college's core technology stack consists of standard educational SaaS platforms: Canvas for learning management, Ellucian Banner powering the MyLawson student information system, Degree Works for degree audit, ACCUPLACER for placement testing, TouchNet for tuition payments, and e2Campus/Omnilert for emergency notifications. Its primary product differentiator is integration with the Alabama Transfers statewide articulation platform, which protects up to 64 credits when students transfer to four-year universities. Specialty programs include Weekend College for working adults, fully online certificates (9 programs), Workforce Development (25 short-term programs), Dual Enrollment (51 classes for high school students), and a STEM program designated as Alabama's only Center of Excellence in STEM and funded by an NSF I-RISE grant (Award #2413069).

Revenue derives from tuition and fees (including per-course testing fees of $50), federal Title IV financial aid (Pell, FSEOG, Work-Study), state appropriations through the Alabama Community College System, and a $1.5M annual scholarship pool administered through the Lawson State Community College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) incorporated 1995-02-09). Distribution is direct to students across six delivery modalities — ground, online, virtual, flex, hybrid, and weekend — and the college operates transfer pathway agreements with University of Alabama, UAB, AAMU, Miles, Auburn, Samford, and Talladega College. There is no public ticker; the institution is government-owned and not venture-backed.

Name

Lawson State Community College

Legal name

T.A. Lawson State Community College

Website

https://lawsonstate.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lawson State Community College is a public, HBCU-designated two-year college in Alabama serving 3,000+ students across Bessemer and Birmingham campuses with 200 associate degree, certificate, and workforce programs, including Alabama's only Center of Excellence in STEM.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Junior Colleges (611210), Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA), Online Community Colleges (2-Year, Degree/Transfer) (EDAHALAC), Transfer, Articulation & Credit Evaluation (EDALAAAH), Community & Adult Education (Municipal/Community Schools) (EDAAAEAB)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Career technical education
• Workforce training
• Health professions programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Bessemer

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The college charges tuition and fees for credit courses. Tuition rates are subject to change and published in the College Catalog. Additional fees include online testing fees ($50 per online class), uniform costs, equipment, materials and supplies.
2. Federal Financial Aid: The college administers federal Title IV financial aid including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, and Federal College Work-Study. Students complete FAFSA to determine eligibility.
3. Scholarships: The college awards institutional scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, talent, or area of study. Scholarship funds of $1.5M are awarded annually. New student scholarships deadline is April 15; current student scholarships deadline is June 15.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lawson State Community College is a public two-year community college offering over 200 educational programs across four major divisions: Career and Technical Education, College Transfer, Business and Information Technologies, and Health Professions. It delivers associate degrees, certificates, and skills training through on-campus, online, virtual, flex, hybrid, and weekend course formats at its Birmingham and Bessemer campuses in Alabama. The college supports credit transfer to four-year institutions via the Alabama Transfers articulation system (up to 64 credits) and provides workforce development, dual enrollment for high school students, adult education, and STEM programs.

Product overview

Lawson State Community College offers over 200 educational programs across four major divisions: Career and Technical Education, College Transfer, Business and Information Technologies, and Health Professions. The college operates two campuses (Bessemer and Birmingham) and provides flexible delivery through Online Programs (9 certificates), Weekend College, Workforce Development (25 programs), Dual Enrollment (51 classes for high school students), and Adult Education. Core academic pathways include Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees designed for transfer to four-year institutions via Alabama Transfers articulation agreements. Supporting technology platforms include the MyLawson student portal (Ellucian Banner-based) for registration, financial aid, and degree tracking; Canvas LMS for course delivery; Degree Works for academic planning; ACCUPLACER for placement testing; and Cougar Alert for emergency notifications. Total enrollment exceeds 3,000 students, with approximately 600 degrees awarded annually and 30% of students transferring to four-year institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College Transfer Programs Associate degree programs (AA and AS) that allow students to complete their first two years of college and transfer up to 64 credits to a four-year institution. Students select Areas of Concentration aligned with their intended major and transfer college, supported by Alabama Transfers articulation agreements.
• Career and Technical Education Programs Workforce-focused programs leading to specialized careers with high income and unique skills. Programs include automotive, welding, HVAC, manufacturing, construction, and other trade fields.
• Business and Information Technologies Programs Programs covering Business and Computer Science pathways including Cybersecurity, Computer Hardware, Accounting, and Economics.
• Health Professions Programs Health Professions Programs offering Nursing, Radiologic Technology (RAD Tech), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Dental, and Sonography programs.
• Online Programs Fully online certificate and degree programs with 100% remote coursework delivery. Offers 9 certificates and claims 100% job placement for online program completers.
• Weekend College Flexible weekend-based course options for working students. Offers Associate's degree completion (up to 66 credits), Health Professions prerequisite courses, and Cybersecurity Short Certificate programs on weekends at both Bessemer and Birmingham campuses.
• Workforce Development Fast-track skills training programs with 25 programs focused on career advancement. Provides short-term training and professional development courses.
• Dual Enrollment Program allowing currently enrolled 10th, 11th, and 12th grade high school students to earn college credit before graduation through 51 dual enrollment classes, with potential tuition-free options for eligible students.
• Adult Education GED preparation and adult basic education programs for adults seeking to complete their high school equivalency or improve foundational academic skills.
• STEM Program Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics program providing specialized opportunities for middle school, high school, and college students. Includes STEM Scholars Program, STEM Enrichment Institute, STEM Internship Program, and STEAM Academy. Hosted at the only Center of Excellence in STEM in Alabama.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% of students transfer to four-year institutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Talladega CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2024Lawson State and Talladega College have established a transfer agreement that creates a clear path for students to earn four-year degrees. The partnership facilitates seamless credit transfer from Lawson State's associate programs to Talladega College's bachelor's degree programs.
• Samford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe STEM Scholars Program partnership with Samford University's STEM Scholars Program allows academically gifted transfer students to continue STEM education with NSF S-STEM scholarship support. More than 10 Lawson State students have successfully transferred to Samford's STEM Scholars program.
• Snap-onminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSnap-on is partnering with Lawson State to highlight stories of Makers and Fixers - people who solve problems with their hands and heads to keep society running. The collaboration showcases Lawson State students and graduates doing real work for the real world.
• Alabama Transfers (Statewide Articulation System)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlabama Transfers is a statewide transfer and articulation reporting system that protects student credits when transferring from two-year to four-year institutions in Alabama. The system includes over 100 Areas of Concentration and allows transfer of up to 64 credits.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Southern Union State Community College: Public Alabama two-year college in the same state system offering comparable transfer, health, and technical programs.
• Calhoun Community College: Public Alabama two-year college in Decatur serving similar transfer and technical education pathways within the same state system.
• J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College: Public Alabama two-year technical college focused on workforce and technical programs — directly comparable in technical education focus and HBCU-like mission.
• Jefferson State Community College: Direct regional peer; also a public Alabama two-year college serving the Birmingham metro with similar transfer, career-technical, and dual enrollment programs competing for the same student pool.
• Bishop State Community College: HBCU community college in Mobile, AL, part of the same Alabama Community College System; directly comparable two-year HBCU with overlapping transfer and workforce programs.
• Shelton State Community College: Public Alabama two-year college in Tuscaloosa offering comparable transfer, technical, and workforce programs within the same state system.
• Wallace State Community College: Public Alabama two-year college in Hanceville; one of the larger and more recognized Alabama community colleges, comparable in program breadth and transfer articulation.
• Gadsden State Community College: Public Alabama two-year college with similar transfer, technical, and adult education offerings, operating under the same Alabama Community College System.
• Bevill State Community College: Public Alabama two-year college offering comparable technical, health, and transfer programs in a similar regional footprint.
• Trenholm State Community College: Public Alabama two-year college in Montgomery with comparable technical and transfer programs under the same state system.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LawsonStateCC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lawsonstatecommunitycolleg273
• Facebookfacebook.com/176
• Instagraminstagram.com/lawsonstatecc

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lawson State Community College