Drake State vs. Shelton State Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, 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 Drake State based on total student enrollment (4,601 students vs. 1,187 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Shelton State Community College is in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting).
• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical 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: J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College 13:1; Shelton State Community College 18:1.

Drake State vs. Shelton State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake State 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 J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College than Shelton State Community College ($6,075 vs. $14,539).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College are 21.2% lower than at Shelton State Community College ($9,450 vs. $12,000).
• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shelton State Community College (about $63 more per year; $5,190.00 vs. $5,127.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Drake State than at Shelton State Community College (about $63 more per year; $9,060.00 vs. $8,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College than at Shelton State Community College (84% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Shelton State Community College students ($8,245 vs. $7,087).

Drake State vs. Shelton State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake State 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 Drake State.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Drake State - Open admission; Shelton State Community College - Open admission.

Drake State vs. Shelton State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake State 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 Shelton State Community College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Drake State graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,000 vs. $26,100), 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.