Drake State vs. Southern Union State Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, AL with Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern Union State Community College is larger than Drake State based on total student enrollment (5,063 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); Southern Union State Community College is in Wadley, AL (Remote Rural setting).
• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southern Union 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; Southern Union State Community College 21:1.

Drake State vs. Southern Union State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake State or Southern Union 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 Southern Union State Community College ($6,075 vs. $6,924).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Union State Community College are 36.5% lower than at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College ($6,000 vs. $9,450).
• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Union State Community College (about $150 more per year; $5,190.00 vs. $5,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.7% higher at Drake State than at Southern Union State Community College (about $150 more per year; $9,060.00 vs. $8,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College than at Southern Union State Community College (84% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Union State Community College students is 8.5% larger than aid received by J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College students ($8,948 vs. $8,245).

Drake State vs. Southern Union State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Drake State or Southern Union 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 Southern Union 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; Southern Union State Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Union State Community College Aug 5, 2027.

Drake State vs. Southern Union State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake State and Southern Union 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 Southern Union State Community College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Drake State graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,400 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.