Central Alabama Community College vs. Shelton State Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL with Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Shelton State Community College is larger than Central Alabama Community College based on total student enrollment (4,601 students vs. 2,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Alabama Community College is located in Alexander City, AL (Rural Fringe setting); Shelton State Community College is in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting).
• Central Alabama Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Shelton State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Alabama Community College 16:1; Shelton State Community College 18:1.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Shelton State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Alabama Community College or Shelton State Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Shelton State Community College than Central Alabama Community College ($14,539 vs. $16,072).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Shelton State Community College are 13.1% lower than at Central Alabama Community College ($12,000 vs. $13,804).
• Shelton State Community College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Alabama Community College (about $17 more per year; $5,127.00 vs. $5,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Shelton State Community College than at Central Alabama Community College (about $17 more per year; $8,997.00 vs. $8,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Alabama Community College than at Shelton State Community College (82% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shelton State Community College students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Central Alabama Community College students ($7,087 vs. $6,961).

Central Alabama Community College vs. Shelton State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Alabama Community College or Shelton State Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Shelton State Community College and Central Alabama Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Alabama Community College - Open admission; Shelton State Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Alabama Community College Aug 1, 2027.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Shelton State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Alabama Community College and Shelton State Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Central Alabama Community College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Shelton State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,900 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.