- Drake?s mission is to provide vocational-technical education through academic and occupational training, from basic education through two-year technical programs. Students develop marketable skills in vocational-technical areas at J. F. Drake, one of a network of forty postsecondary institutions of its kind in the state of Alabama. The 30-acre campus houses eight buildings.
School Highlights
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College serves 1,378 students (22% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is same as the state community college average of 19:1.
Minority enrollment is 77% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 44%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 1,378 students
- In-state tuition: $3,384
- Out-state tuition: $6,096
- Student:teacher ratio: 19:1
- Minority enrollment: 77%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Alabama for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
The teacher population of 73 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College
(AL) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Traditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
73 staff
158 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College has grown by 74% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 has increased from 11:1 over five years.
The J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College diversity score of 0.55 is less than the state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has declined by 13% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,378 students
2,683 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
# Full-Time Students
309 students
869 students
# Part-Time Students
1,069 students
1,814 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
137 students
422 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
309 students
869 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,069 students
2,077 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
30 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
168 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
8%
6%
% Black
61%
26%
% White
23%
56%
% Hawaiian
n/a
2%
% Two or more races
6%
4%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
n/a
3%
Diversity Score
0.55
0.61
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
12%
29%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
30%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$26,300
$29,700
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $3,384 is less than the state average of $4,077. The in-state tuition has declined by 29% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,096 is less than the state average of $7,002. The out-state tuition has declined by 30% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,384
$4,077
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,096
$7,002
Tuition Notes
$3,000 per semester
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
90%
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
88%
SAT Reading
n/a
530
SAT Math
n/a
545
ACT Composite
n/a
23
ACT English
n/a
21
ACT Math
n/a
22
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- J. F. Drake State Technical College is a two-year, state-supported, coed, vocational-technical college founded in 1961. J. F. Drake is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate in Applied Technology degree. Diplomas and certificates are also awarded. Drake Tech is located in northeastern Huntsville, home of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the U.S. Army Missile Command, Strategic Defense Command, the Redstone Arsenal, and a host of high-technology industrial centers. The area is one of the fastest-growing engineering and technology centers in the South. Huntsville offers students access to museums, shopping, and fine restaurants. The College assists African-American students to find and contact predominantly African- American schools and colleges which provide educational opportunities that are best suited to the individual students academic achievement and financial resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College cost?
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College's tuition is approximately $3,384 for In-State students and $6,096 for Out-State students.
What is J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College's ranking?
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Alabama for: Least expensive tuition.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is Huntsville Bible College (1.9 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Students
Huntsville Bible College
Private not-for-profit
906 Oakwood Ave
Huntsville, AL 35811
(256) 469-7536
Huntsville, AL 35811
(256) 469-7536
1.9 miles
| 122 students
6250 U S Highway 31 N
Tanner, AL 35671
(256) 306-2500
Tanner, AL 35671
(256) 306-2500
23.0 miles
| 12,591 students
1233 E College St
Pulaski, TN 38478
(931) 424-4014
Pulaski, TN 38478
(931) 424-4014
38.1 miles
| 561 students
6015 Ledford Mill Road
Tullahoma, TN 37388
(931) 393-1500
Tullahoma, TN 37388
(931) 393-1500
44.0 miles
| 7,104 students
102 Elder Street
Boaz, AL 35957
(256) 593-5120
Boaz, AL 35957
(256) 593-5120
45.0 miles
| 6,445 students
Recent Articles
Unlocking Airport Career Opportunities: Your Guide to Ground Jobs
Discover the diverse range of ground jobs at mid-size U.S. airports, their educational requirements, and how community colleges can prepare you for these exciting careers.
The Real Dollar Value of an Associate Degree
How much is an associate's degree really worth? We calculate and research the ROI of an associate degree specifically, and the results are interesting.
Hands Across California: Community College Students Band Together to Save the System
Facing a monumental budget crisis, California's community college students took matters into their own hands, holding rallies and conferences for Hands Across California.
