J F Drake State Technical College (Drake State)

3421 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL

J F Drake State Technical College offers affordable two year programs. These programs lead to an associate of technology degree or a certificate program allowing for immediate entry into the workforce. Drake State aims to insure that its students are competitive in the job market by arming them with the skills they need to succeed. The thing that impresses most people is that tuition is affordable. You don’t have to pay a lot to get a great education at Drake State. In-state tuition is $111 per credit. The college is located in Huntsville, Alabama and over 1,200 students are enrolled.

The school was founded in 1961 as the Huntsville State Vocational Technical College. Drake was built on 32 acres of land and started out with only 27 students. The name of the school was changed to J. F. Drake State Technical Trade School in 1966 to honor of the late Joseph Fanning Drake, president of Alabama A&M University for more than 35 years.

Drake State Technical College is home to programs in Automotive Service Technology, Barbering Technology, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics, Heating and Air Conditioning Technology, Industrial Systems Technology, Machine Tool Technology, Medical Assisting Technology, Salon Management, and Welding.

Many outstanding services are available to students at J F Drake State Technical College. The college provides counseling and assessment that helps students discover their interest. Student services also offers financial assistance that maximize the student’s ability to go to school. Tutoring services and career services are also available which help students to succeed.

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $7,000. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.

Tuition & Fees Information

Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $3,500-$4,100
- Out-of-State: $6,900-$8,280
Charges per unit:
- State Residents: $120-$140 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $230-$280 per credit unit

Financial Aid Details

The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.

	Percent of Students	Average Amount
Any Financial Aid	90%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	88%	$4,957
Receiving Student Loans	2%	$4,833

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To support students and graduates, J F Drake State Technical College may provide student services like those listed below:

Online classes
Night and weekend classes available
Remedial courses
Academic counseling for students
Student employment
Assistance to find work

Graduation & Transfer Rates

Students who attend a community college will be able to choose from a variety of programs that will lead to an associate's degree or transfer to a four year institution. The following list shows graduation and transfer-out rates for this school compared to community colleges in Alabama, which can be useful for determining which community college to attend.

	Drake State	Madison County	Alabama
Graduation Rate	15.4%	-	17.9%
Transfer-out Rate	14.9%	-	19.7%

Programs Offered

The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.