Southern Union State Community College
- The mission of the College is to provide quality academic, technical, and health science programs which are affordable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of the community, business, industry, and government. As an open-door institution, the College provides an educational program that complements the various ability levels of a diverse student population. In support of these efforts, the College employs a highly qualified staff which is active in the planning and evaluation of all programs. The education offered allows for successful transfer entry into upper-level study at a senior college or university, trains for immediate employment upon completion of a technically-oriented program, and provides educational opportunities for those students interested in careers in the health care field.
School Highlights
- Southern Union State Community College serves 4,727 students (58% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 31:1 is higher than the state community college average of 28:1.
- Minority enrollment is 29% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 39%.
- Southern Union State Community College is the only community colleges within Randolph County, AL.
- The nearest community college to Southern Union State Community College is Central Alabama Community College (25.6 miles away).
Top Placements
Southern Union State Community College places among the top 20% of community colleges in Alabama for:
- Category Attribute
- Affordability Least expensive tuition
- Community Size Largest student body
- Student Earnings Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation)
- Debt For Students Least debt for graduating students
School Overview
- The teacher population of 151 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
| Southern Union State Community College | (AL) Community College Avg. | |
| Institution Level | At least 2 but less than 4 years | At least 2 yrs but < 4 yrs |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 151 staff | 73 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 4,727 students | 1,756 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 31:1 | 28:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 2,727 students | 1,004 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 2,000 students | 752 students |
 |  | |
| Total Dormitory Capacity | 460 | 128 |
| % Asian | 1% | 1% |
| % Hispanic | 1% | 2% |
| % Black | 21% | 24% |
| % White | 71% | 61% |
| % Unknown races | 5% | 10% |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.45 | 0.56 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 16% | 17% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $32,600 | $29,500 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- Southern Union State Community College serves residents of an eight county area of East Central Alabama as well as neighboring Georgia counties from its campuses in Wadley, Valley and Opelika. A three-faceted educational emphasis is on academic programs for transferability, technical/vocational programs for specialized career competencies, and nursing and allied health programs for specialized training in health sciences. Southern Union State Community College was formed on August 12, 1993, when the Alabama State Board of Education effectively merged Southern Union State Junior College, located in Wadley, Valley, and Opelika, with Opelika State Technical College in Opelika. From its opening with 51 students in a single building on September 13, 1923, until 1964, the College remained church related, operating as Piedmont Junior College, Southern Union College, and The Southern Union College. On October 1,1964, the college was deeded to the State of Alabama and became part of a newly created system of two-year colleges under the governance of the Alabama State Board of Education. The name of the college became Southern Union State Junior College. Southern Union State Community College provide a comprehensive and accessible program of instruction which offers opportunities for lifelong learning through pre-baccalaureate, technical, occupational, health science, and continuing education programs. The pine-wooded Wadley Campus is bordered by a scenic 15-acre college lake. Since 1922, this campus has served students in the tradition of a small college providing the complete college experience including on-campus housing. An outstanding athletic program and an emphasis on the fine arts can be found at the Wadley Campus along with a strong academic curriculum and selected technical and health sciences courses. Southern Union State Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science and Associate in Occupational Technologies Degrees.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to Southern Union State Community College is Central Alabama Community College (25.6 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- 1,726 students | 25.60 Mi1675 Cherokee Rd
Alexander City, AL 35010
(256)234-6346 25.601,726 - 1,806 students | 29.90 MiOne College Circle
Lagrange, GA 30240
(706)845-4323 29.901,806 - n/a students | 36.80 Mi1801 coleman road
Anniston, AL 36207
(256)835-5400 36.80n/a - 6,536 students | 42.50 Mi176 Murphy Campus Blvd.
Waco, GA 30182
(770)537-6000 42.506,536 - 3,594 students | 55.10 Mi928 Manchester Expy
Columbus, GA 31904
(706)649-1800 55.103,594
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