Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Huntsville, Alabama
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$11,908Annual Cost
$28,281Grad Salary
44.4%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$4,644
Need-Based Aid
44.4% receive Pell
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College AL J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College focuses on workforce preparation, technical education, and career advancement opportunities. The institution is particularly known for programs aligned with regional industry and technology needs.\n\nPrograms in advanced manufacturing, engineering technologies, healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades provide strong employment prospects. Students benefit from hands-on learning, employer partnerships, and affordable career-focused education.
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College Acceptance Rate
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Drake State reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Drake State
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Drake State is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Drake State Without SAT or ACT?
Drake State's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Drake State
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Drake State's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Don't confuse this with J.F. Ingram State Technical College - same naming pattern, unrelated mission
Drake State (Huntsville) and Ingram State (Deatsville) are separate Alabama institutions sharing a near-identical "J.F. [Surname] State [...] Technical College" naming convention - Drake State is an open-enrollment HBCU community college serving the general public, while Ingram State serves exclusively incarcerated individuals. Confirm which institution is meant before referencing either school's admissions process.
Point to the NASA HUNCH partnership specifically for manufacturing/engineering applicants
Drake State was the first two-year college in the Southeast to join NASA's HUNCH program in 2010, and recently installed a Haas VF6 SS Machining Center in its new Leidos Advanced Training Complex - equipment rare enough that Drake State is one of only a few post-secondary institutions nationally with a machine of this caliber. A manufacturing or engineering technology applicant should reference this specific equipment and partnership directly, tied to Huntsville's aerospace industry, rather than generic "hands-on training" language.
Ask about the LPN Launch Program with Huntsville Hospital for a faster nursing entry point
This specific partnership with Huntsville Hospital may offer faster placement or hospital-based clinical advantages compared to the standard nursing application route - a nursing-track applicant should ask about it by name, since partnership-based pathways like this often aren't offered by default without asking.
Use the Western Governors University bridge for bachelor's completion planning
Drake State has a specific articulation partnership with Western Governors University for students and alumni pursuing bachelor's degrees after their associate credential - map out this completion plan at enrollment rather than figuring it out only after finishing the associate degree.
Expert Insight:
Student reviews specifically flag transcript evaluation and program-admission bureaucracy - particularly around nursing - as a real friction point, including at least one reported case of previously completed coursework not being recognized during program admission. Follow up proactively and in writing on transcript evaluation status rather than assuming it's processed automatically alongside general admission.
Drake State Profile
Full Name
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College (Drake State)
City
Huntsville
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
35811
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Drake State Degree Worth It?
Drake State offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $52,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.33%.
How much does a degree from Drake State Cost?
The sticker price is $11,908/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $4,644.
44.4% of students receive a Pell Grant and % take federal loans at Drake State — file your FAFSA early and list Drake State as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Drake State Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $28,281 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Drake State
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Drake State Admissions
Median earnings for J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College graduates sit around $28,281 a year.
At about $11,908 a year, J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is on the more affordable end.
About 44.4% receive a Pell Grant at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.