Shelton State Community College vs. Southern Union State Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, 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 Shelton State Community College based on total student enrollment (5,063 students vs. 4,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Shelton State Community College is located in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting); Southern Union State Community College is in Wadley, AL (Remote Rural setting).
• Shelton State Community 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: Shelton State Community College 18:1; Southern Union State Community College 21:1.

Shelton State Community College vs. Southern Union State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Shelton State Community College 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 Southern Union State Community College than Shelton State Community College ($6,924 vs. $14,539).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Union State Community College are 50% lower than at Shelton State Community College ($6,000 vs. $12,000).
• Shelton State Community College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Union State Community College (about $87 more per year; $5,127.00 vs. $5,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Shelton State Community College than at Southern Union State Community College (about $87 more per year; $8,997.00 vs. $8,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Union State Community College than at Shelton State Community College (67% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Union State Community College students is 26.3% larger than aid received by Shelton State Community College students ($8,948 vs. $7,087).

Shelton State Community College vs. Southern Union State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Shelton State Community College 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 Shelton State Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Shelton State Community College - Open admission; Southern Union State Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Union State Community College Aug 5, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for Shelton State Community College 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 $4,400 more per year than Shelton State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,400 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.