Southern Union State Community College

About
Southern Union State Community College, located in Wadley, Alabama, was formed in 1993 through the merger of Southern Union State Junior College and Opelika State Technical College. The two schools each had a tradition of excellence and quality that  they brought to the new school through merger, as well as the use of three campuses, located in Wadley, Opelika, and Valley,  that serve eight counties in east central Alabama and focus on providing transfer, vocational and allied health education.  The school is dedicated to providing excellent education and opportunity to its students in the tradition of its predecessor schools, maintaining a high standard conducive to growth and success.


Academics
Southern Union State Community College offers a variety of programs across its campuses that allows students to choose the one that best suits their career or academic goals. Career training programs are typically offered in high demand fields, often reflective of community needs.  Individuals enrolled in a career or allied health program will be trained in the skills and abilities required to operate as  a professional in their field of study. Programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in an associate degree or certificate and allowing for the immediate pursuit of employment at the entry level.


Academic transfer programs fulfill the freshman and sophomore years of a four year education, followed by applying to a four year institution to complete the final two years of their bachelor's degree. Individuals seeking transfer to a public Alabama institution will find that the process will be made easier through agreements in place with the school that allow for transfer acceptance based on the student meeting academic prerequisites. Individuals pursuing transfer to out of state or private schools will find that requirements typically  vary by school. As such it is recommended students meet with an academic advisor to plan for and best determine what curriculum will meet the requirements for transfer to one's desired school or schools.

Programs offered include:

• Computer Science
• Physics
• Dance
• Nursing
• History

Admissions and Financial Aid
Southern Union State Community College is an open enrollment institution, admitting any applicant that meets the minimum requirements for admission and submits an application for admission. Students wishing to enroll must supply their previous transcripts, test scores, and may be asked to take a placement exam prior to registration. Students are also encouraged to  participate in orientation and to meet with a counselor to choose a program of study and develop a curriculum.


Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA), the information from which will be used to determine a student's financial need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Students may be asked to provide further financial information prior to the disbursement of funds as per new federal regulations governing financial aid. New applications for aid must be submitted prior to the start of each academic year due to changing financial circumstances from year to year.

Estimated Costs & Financial Aid

The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $7,300. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. 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	82%	-
Receiving Grants & Scholarships	75%	$5,444
Receiving Student Loans	23%	$4,070

Admissions, Academics, & Student Services

Student Services

To help students and recent graduates, Southern Union State Community College may offer services like:

• Online classes
• Remedial instructional courses
• Career path counseling
• Work study style employment
• Assisting students 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 Southern Union State Community College compared to community colleges in Alabama, which can be useful for determining which community college to attend.

	Southern Union State Community College	Randolph County	Alabama
Graduation Rate	14.3%	-	17.9%
Transfer-out Rate	20.1%	-	19.7%

Specialized Programs & Accreditations

Campus: Southern Union State Community College

• Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
  • Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1982)
  • Compare all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Alabama

Campus: Opelika Campus

• Radiology Technician Program
  • Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (since 1994)

Other Community Colleges Nearby

The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Southern Union State Community College.

• Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL (26 miles away)
• Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, AL (58 miles away)
• Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL (65 miles away)
• Trenholm State Technical College in Montgomery, AL (70 miles away)
• Georgia Highlands College in Rome, GA (75 miles away)