J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College

Drake State offers associate degrees, certificates, and non-credit courses across 16 programs, with a focus on career-ready pathways. Highlights:

• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [15]
• Program Areas:

- Advanced Manufacturing (10 programs) - Automotive (3) - Business Administration (6) - Computer Information Systems (4) - Health Sciences (7) [13]

• Specializations: Engineering Technologies (107 degrees awarded annually) and Personal & Culinary Services are the most popular [16]
• Flexible Options: Includes university-transfer degrees and adult/continuing education [12][14]

Student engagement at Drake State includes:

• Organizations: Student Ambassadors program to promote campus life and traditions [17]
• Events: Community celebrations and music events (per Facebook page) [19]
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1, fostering personalized attention [10]

Note: Limited data is available on clubs or athletics; the linked Drake University page [18] is not applicable to Drake State.

Drake State's student outcomes include:

• Graduation Rate: 17% (Niche) or 12.5% (Allnurses) [8][21]
• Retention Rates: Not explicitly stated in sources, but IPEDS tracks this [20]
• Earnings:

- Median salary: $28,281 (Allnurses) [21] - Average graduate earnings (10 years): $26,300–$29,700 [22]

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 70.5% for nursing programs [21]

Tuition and financial aid details:

• Tuition: $5,190 in-state (Allnurses) [21]
• Average Aid: $6,840 per student (2019/2020, Collegesimply) [27]
• Scholarships:

- Academic Excellence Scholarship: $4,000 ($2,000 per semester) [23][25] - First-Time Freshman Scholarship: $3,000 ($1,500 per semester) [23]

• Net Price Calculator: Available on the college website [24]

Drake State distinguishes itself through:

• Open Access: 100% acceptance policy for equitable education [8][11]
• Career Focus: Strong programs in engineering tech and health sciences [13][16]
• Affordability: Low tuition paired with scholarships (e.g., $4,000 Academic Excellence award) [23][25]
• Community Ties: Events and partnerships in Huntsville [19]