True College Verdict
F

J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College

Huntsville, AL · 755 undergraduates · 40% receive Pell Grants
PublicMainly certificatesHBCU

Among the weakest of its kind. Look at alternatives before enrolling. It ranks 1,789 of 1,952 certificate schools on student outcomes, with an overall score of 27.8 out of 100.

Is it affordable?
Yes
Average net price $6,048 a year after grants. Typical for similar colleges: $17,716.
Will most students finish?
No
22% graduate within 8 years. Typical for similar colleges: 71%.
Is it worth the price?
Not enough data
Debt or earnings figures are missing.

These three answers are rules of thumb from the numbers below, not advice for any one student or major.

Student reviews are coming soon

We are rebuilding how students share their experiences, so for now this page shows only the federal numbers and our written summaries. Check back soon.

Why it is good

  • Affordable: the average student pays about $6,048 a year after grants, cheaper than 90% of certificate schools.

Why it is bad

  • Only 22% of students graduate. 98% of certificate schools do better.
  • Many students leave early: only 51% of first-year students return for a second year.

The numbers

What these figures measure

Graduation rate: share of all students, full-time or part-time, who finish within 8 years. Return for year 2: share of first-time, full-time students who come back for a second year. Earnings: median pay about 10 years after starting, for students who received federal aid. Debt: median federal loan debt among those who finish. Net price: average yearly cost after grants and scholarships. All from the U.S. Education Department College Scorecard, institution file dated November 2, 2026.

Graduation rate
22%
Better than 2% of similar colleges. Typical: 71%
Return for year 2
51%
Better than 10% of similar colleges. Typical: 77%
Earnings after 10 years
$34,464
Better than 41% of similar colleges. Typical: $36,576
Debt at graduation
n/a
Typical: $9,500
Net price per year
$6,048
Better than 90% of similar colleges. Typical: $17,716
Published tuition
$5,685
Out of state: $9,615

Programs and early earnings

Associate degrees: largest programs

Certificates and diplomas: largest programs

Earnings are the median pay two years after completing, for graduates who were working and not enrolled again. The federal government hides figures for small programs, shown as n/a. Fields are broad groups, so a college may offer several majors inside one.

Students and reviews

Numbers cannot tell you about teaching, dorms or campus life. Student reviews and questions are coming soon to this site. In the meantime, other sources:

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The grade reflects outcomes for the average student compared with other certificate schools. Individual majors can be much better or worse.