Jefferson State Community College
#7 Best Computer Science Colleges in Alabama- Graduation Rate
- 24% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,719 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $9,086 B+
- 47% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 5,470
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 26.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $26.3 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Computer Science Colleges in Alabama.
Every $1 spent returns $26.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $920,900.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 24% — 57% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $26.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Jefferson State Community College
Jefferson State Community 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 Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 5,470
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Culinary & Personal Services, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Jefferson State Community 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 $9,086 a year after grants and scholarships — 47% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,719 ten years after enrolling — 0% above the typical college, against $9,689 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 72% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.97 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Jefferson State Community College serves around 5,470 students, offering an affordable education with a net price of just $9,086. This makes it an accessible option for many looking to further their studies without incurring heavy debt. With a median debt of $9,689, students can find a pathway to success without overwhelming financial burdens.
According to Opportunity Insights data, the economic mobility for graduates is crucial. While specific mobility rates aren't available, the college's emphasis on practical programs like Health Professions and Culinary Arts suggests a focus on fields with strong job prospects. Graduates earn an average of $40,719 after ten years, indicating that students can achieve financial stability through their education.
The college attracts a diverse student body, including many first-generation college students. With a graduation rate of 24%, it reflects the challenges many face in completing their programs. However, the high percentage of Pell Grant recipients at 35% indicates a commitment to supporting low-income students. Those who thrive here are likely motivated, seeking hands-on training in practical fields with clear career paths.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Jefferson State Community 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 Jefferson State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Jefferson State Community College, located in Birmingham, Alabama, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
- Retention Rate
- 59%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 39%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,374
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.62
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
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 Jefferson State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Jefferson State Community College is $8,970, 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 $9,086. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,836 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,689 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,100
- Out-of-State
- $8,970
- Avg Net Price
- $9,086
- Median Debt
- $9,689
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 29%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,836
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,091
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,884
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,274
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Jefferson State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Jefferson State Community College report median earnings of $40,719, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $35,502
- 8 Years
- $36,997
- 10 Years
- $40,719
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.24x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (83)
- 8%
- 100% (83)
- 8%
- 100% (83)
- 8%
- 100% (83)
- 8%
How Jefferson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Jefferson State Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Jefferson State Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,086/year ($36,344 total). Graduates earn $40,719 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $957,244 in total earnings — a net gain of $920,900 (26.3× your investment). The median debt is $9,689, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $36,344
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $957,244
- Net Return
- $920,900
- ROI Multiple
- 26.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,086
- Median Debt
- $9,689
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Jefferson State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Jefferson State Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.08%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $76,200
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $1,360,645
- Federal Grants
- $1,996,079
- Investment Income
- $-1,284,559
Top Programs
The fields Jefferson State Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 36%
- Health Professions 22%
- Culinary & Personal Services 10%
- Business & Marketing 10%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
- Criminal Justice 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Jefferson State Community 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
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Jefferson State Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Jefferson State Community College, located in Birmingham, Alabama, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Jefferson State Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Jefferson State Community College is $8,970, 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 $9,086. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,836 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,689 in federal student loans.
Is Jefferson State Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Jefferson State Community College report median earnings of $40,719, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Jefferson State Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Jefferson State Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.08%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Jefferson State Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Jefferson State Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.97, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Jefferson State Community College.
- Contra Costa CollegeSan Pablo, CA · Close peer30% grad $40,850 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Southern Maine Community CollegeSouth Portland, ME · Close peer24% grad $41,661 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Volunteer State Community CollegeGallatin, TN · Close peer26% grad $41,150 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Erie Community CollegeBuffalo, NY · Close peer28% grad $41,228 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Onondaga Community CollegeSyracuse, NY · Close peer26% grad $41,190 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Clackamas Community CollegeOregon City, OR · Close peer23% grad $42,886 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Jefferson State Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Jefferson State Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.97, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note