J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is a public 2-year technical and community college located in Huntsville, Alabama. The institution primarily serves workforce development and academic transfer students through certificate and associate degree pathways, with a strong focus on technical education and career readiness.
General Institutional Information
The college operates in a midsize city setting and does not provide on-campus housing. It serves a small student body with a low student-to-faculty ratio, supporting more personalized instruction and training.
General information: (256) 539-8161
Website: drakestate.edu/
Type: 2-year, Public
Awards offered:
Less than one year certificate
One but less than two years certificate
Associate’s degree
Campus setting: City: Midsize
Campus housing: No
Student population: 1,187 (all undergraduate)
Student-to-faculty ratio: 13 to 1
Admissions
Admissions Overview
The institution operates under an open admission policy, making it accessible to a wide range of applicants. It also supports both academic transfer pathways and workforce-oriented training programs.
The institution provides flexible and affordable technical education, university-transfer degrees, industry certifications, adult education, continuing education, and customized workforce training programs designed to support regional development in North Alabama.
Special Learning Opportunities
Distance education (undergraduate courses available, programs not fully online)
Weekend/evening college options
Student Support Services
Academic and career counseling
Employment services for students
Placement services for graduates
Additional data:
Students registered with disability services (Fall 2023): 3% or less
High school dual enrollment students (2023–2024): 420
Carnegie Classification
Associate’s Colleges: High Career & Technical – Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Institutional Characteristics
Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
Religious affiliation: Not applicable
Accreditation (Admission-relevant)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): Accredited since 01/01/2012 (next review 06/08/2027)
Tuition, Fees, and Estimated Expenses
Estimated Expenses for Full-Time Beginning Undergraduate Students
Estimated expenses for academic year (data unchanged):
Category
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
2024-2025
% change 2023-2024 to 2024-2025
Tuition and fees
In-state
$4,830
$4,890
$5,130
$5,190
1.2%
Out-of-state
$8,520
$8,640
$8,940
$9,060
1.3%
Books and supplies
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
$2,000
0.0%
Living arrangement
Off Campus
Food and Housing
$6,300
$8,100
$9,450
$9,450
0.0%
Other expenses
$2,800
$3,900
$4,050
$4,050
0.0%
Off Campus with Family
Other expenses
$2,400
$2,400
$4,050
$4,050
0.0%
Total Estimated Expenses
Category
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
2024-2025
% change 2023-2024 to 2024-2025
In-state Off Campus
$15,930
$18,890
$20,630
$20,690
0.3%
In-state Off Campus with Family
$9,230
$9,290
$11,180
$11,240
0.5%
Out-of-state Off Campus
$19,620
$22,640
$24,440
$24,560
0.5%
Out-of-state Off Campus with Family
$12,920
$13,040
$14,990
$15,110
0.8%
Tuition Plans
Tuition payment plan: Available
Tuition guarantee plan: Not offered
Prepaid tuition plan: Not offered
Other alternative tuition plan: Not offered
Promise program participation: Yes
Financial Aid
Undergraduate Financial Aid (2023–2024)
Full-time beginning undergraduate students:
Students receiving any aid: 87 (90%)
Grant or scholarship aid: 81 (84%), total $667,854, avg $8,245
Federal grants: 77 (79%), total $608,908, avg $7,908
Pell Grants: 77 (79%), total $582,657, avg $7,567
Other federal grants: 5 (5%), total $26,251, avg $5,250
State/local grants: 7 (7%), total $3,345, avg $478
Institutional grants: 13 (13%), total $55,601, avg $4,277
Student loan aid: minimal usage (no federal loan program participation)
All Undergraduate Students Aid Summary
Degree/certificate-seeking grant aid: 525 students (73%), total $3,664,072, avg $6,979
Pell Grants: 446 students (62%), total $3,114,602, avg $6,983
Federal student loans: 0
Non-degree students:
Grant aid: 292 students (100%), total $388,780, avg $1,331
Net Price
Average Net Price (Full-Time Beginning Students)
Year
Average Net Price
2021-2022
$5,533
2022-2023
$4,736
2023-2024
$6,075
Net Price by Income
Income Range
2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
$0 – $30,000
$5,016
$3,749
$5,916
$30,001 – $48,000
$4,188
$5,025
$4,108
$48,001 – $75,000
$8,576
$6,288
$8,546
$75,001 – $110,000
—
$7,856
$7,763
$110,001 and more
—
—
—
Enrollment Data (Fall 2024)
Student Population Overview
Total enrollment: 1,187
Undergraduate transfer-in: 135
Attendance Status
Full-time: 26%
Part-time: 74%
Gender Distribution
Male: 38%
Female: 62%
Race/Ethnicity Breakdown
American Indian or Alaska Native: 0%
Asian: 1%
Black or African American: 55%
Hispanic/Latino: 10%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%
White: 23%
Two or more races: 9%
Unknown: 1%
Nonresident: 2%
Age Distribution
24 and under: 64%
25 and over: 36%
Unknown: 0%
Residence
In-state: 97%
Out-of-state: 3%
Foreign: 0%
Distance Education Status
Fully online: 18%
Mixed courses: 34%
No online courses: 48%
Retention and Graduation Rates
Retention Rates
Full-time retention: 51%
Part-time retention: 40%
Graduation and Transfer Outcomes (Fall 2021 cohort)
Graduation rate: 14%
Transfer-out rate: 16%
Graduation by Demographics
Male: 13%
Female: 15%
Black or African American: 8%
Hispanic/Latino: 50%
White: 20%
Two or more races: 50%
Nonresident: 0%
Time to Completion
Within normal time: 2–4%
Within 150% of normal time: 11–14%
Within 200% of normal time: up to 13%
Programs and Majors
Academic and Technical Programs
Business:
Business Administration and Management (Associate: 10 completions)
Computer Science:
Computer Information Systems (Associate: 5 completions)
Culinary & Personal Services:
Salon/Beauty Salon Management (Associate: 18 completions total category included below)
The institution provides dedicated services for veterans and servicemembers, including credit recognition for military training and specialized support offices.
Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients: 25 students
Average benefits: $3,743
Dedicated veteran support services available
Tuition policies tailored for servicemembers and veterans
Varsity Athletics
No intercollegiate athletics programs are reported for this institution.
Accreditation
Institutional Accreditation
Council on Occupational Education (historical accreditation records)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): Accredited since 2012, next review 2027
Programmatic Accreditation
Nursing programs accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Associate Nursing: accredited through 06/30/2027
Practical Nursing: accredited through 09/01/2025
Campus Security and Safety
On-Campus Crime Statistics (2019–2021)
All categories reported zero incidents across:
Criminal offenses
VAWA offenses
Arrests
Disciplinary actions
Cohort Default Rates
The institution is not listed in the federal cohort default rate database due to low borrower volume, meaning fewer than 10 borrowers entered repayment across reporting cohorts.
Outcome Measures
Award Completion and Enrollment Outcomes (2016–17 cohort)
Full-time first-time students:
Certificate: 2%
Associate degree: 15%
Still enrolled: 1%
Transferred: 17%
Part-time and non-first-time cohorts show varying completion outcomes ranging from 3% to 35% depending on status and Pell eligibility.
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