J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
- Graduation Rate
- 13% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $28,281 D
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $6,005 A
- 65% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 755
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 24.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.5 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $24.5 over 20 years. Net gain: $565,195.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 31% below the national college median.
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Graduation of 13% — 78% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $24.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 755
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HBCU
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Culinary & Personal Services, Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing
Why students choose J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,005 a year after grants and scholarships — 65% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $28,281 ten years after enrolling — 31% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
Only 13% of students graduate from J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College. This low graduation rate signals challenges for many students pursuing their degrees. However, the college serves a diverse community in Huntsville, Alabama, focusing on practical skills in areas like health professions and culinary arts.
The Opportunity Insights data isn't available for this institution, but the college's Pell Grant rate of 44% indicates that nearly half of the students come from low-income backgrounds. This suggests that many attendees may face significant barriers to completing their education. While specific mobility metrics are lacking, the college's mission aligns with supporting students from varied socioeconomic situations.
With a net price of $6,005, Drake State is an affordable option for many. Graduates earn about $28,281 after ten years, reflecting the job market's response to their training. Students who thrive here often seek hands-on learning and practical skills that lead directly to employment in fields like health services and IT.
Can I Get In?
How selective J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College, located in Huntsville, Alabama, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 13%.
- Retention Rate
- 51%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 39%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,659
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- First-Gen Students
- 59%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is $9,060, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,005. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,916 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,190
- Out-of-State
- $9,060
- Avg Net Price
- $6,005
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,916
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,108
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,546
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College report median earnings of $28,281, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,211
- 8 Years
- $25,880
- 10 Years
- $28,281
- Earning > $25K
- 37%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (7)
- 9%
- 100% (7)
- 9%
- 100% (7)
- 9%
- 100% (7)
- 9%
How J. Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,005/year ($24,020 total). Graduates earn $28,281 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $589,215 in total earnings — a net gain of $565,195 (24.5× your investment).. With a 13% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $24,020
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $589,215
- Net Return
- $565,195
- ROI Multiple
- 24.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,005
- Graduation Rate
- 13%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Top Programs
The fields J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 35% $46,228 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 21%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Business & Marketing 5%
- Humanities 1%
- Precision Production 1%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 0%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College, located in Huntsville, Alabama, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 13%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is $9,060, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,005. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,916 after need-based grants.
Is J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College report median earnings of $28,281, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College.
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- University of Arkansas-East Arkansas Community CollegeForrest City, AR · Close peer49% grad $28,471 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- George C Wallace State Community College-SelmaSelma, AL · Close peer40% grad $31,598 earnWhy: similar size · same state
- Ozarka CollegeMelbourne, AR · Close peer45% grad $29,314 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Phillips Community College of the University of ArkansasHelena, AR · Close peer53% grad $29,552 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
