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$4,980Tuition
4,413Students
48%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$39,842Earnings
#8 in AlabamaPublic2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville builds careers through hands-on technical and healthcare training that serves north central Alabama's workforce needs. The college enrolls 4,413 students in its rural setting, where classes maintain a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. Students come here for programs that lead directly to jobs in growing fields like nursing, automotive technology, and industrial maintenance.

The financial picture works in students' favor. Average net price runs $14,042 after aid, while graduates earn a median $39,842 ten years out. Students typically leave with just $11,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $117. Nearly all students qualify for in-state tuition at $4,980, since 98% come from Alabama. The employment rate hits 97.1%, showing employers value the practical skills students develop here.

Women make up 68% of enrollment, reflecting the college's strong nursing and health science programs. The Lions compete in 11 NJCAA sports with 129 total athletes supported by $841,318 in athletic scholarships. Students can live on campus in housing for 180, though most commute from nearby communities. The semester calendar keeps students moving efficiently toward certificates and associate degrees that open doors to stable careers.

Academics & Faculty

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville serves north central Alabama with strong technical and healthcare programs that prepare students for immediate employment. The college maintains a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, providing solid access to instructors across its career-focused curricula. With 67.78% of students being women, the college attracts many students pursuing nursing and allied health fields. The 48.20% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family obligations. Students can choose from programs in nursing, automotive technology, welding, and business administration. The college's technical training programs connect directly to local industry needs, with graduates earning a median of $39,842 ten years after enrollment.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
19:1
Full-Time Faculty
39.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
48.2%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$39,842

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $48,988
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $42,682
Engineering Technology, General. Associate $38,289
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. Associate $36,437
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Associate $36,041
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. Associate $35,772
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. Associate $33,993
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Certificate $32,925
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Certificate $29,141
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $24,267

View all 54 programs →

Campus Life

Two-thirds of students are women at this north Alabama community college, reflecting strong enrollment in healthcare and nursing programs that anchor the campus. With just 180 housing spots for 4,413 students, only about 4% live on campus in the rural town of Hanceville. Most students commute from surrounding counties, creating a campus that empties out after classes end.

The Lions compete in 11 NJCAA sports with 129 total athletes, giving this small-town campus more athletic energy than typical community colleges. Birmingham sits about 45 minutes south, close enough for weekend trips but far enough to keep campus life centered locally. Students need both winter coats and sunscreen here, as Alabama temperatures swing from freezing January mornings to sweltering August afternoons reaching the 90s. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name, especially in the technical programs that have built the school's reputation across north central Alabama. Weekend activities often revolve around Lions athletics or trips to nearby Cullman for shopping and dining.
Setting
Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity
180 beds
Calendar System
Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

3 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Burglary 1 1 0 0
Domestic Violence 0 0 0 1

Climate & Weather

January Avg
29°–50°F
July Avg
67°–88°F
Annual Precipitation
59.0"
Annual Snowfall
1.1"

Student Demographics

Students at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville come almost entirely from Alabama, reflecting its role as a regional workforce pipeline. About two-thirds of students are women, drawn primarily to the school's nursing and healthcare programs that dominate enrollment. One in three students receives Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families throughout north central Alabama. The student body is predominantly white with growing Hispanic representation. Most students work while attending classes, balancing education with family and job responsibilities typical of rural community colleges focused on career preparation.
Men
32.2%
Women
67.8%
White
76.3%
Black
8.7%
Hispanic
9.5%
Asian
0.8%
In-State Students
98.4%
Pell Grant Recipients
32.3%

Location

Hanceville sits in rural north central Alabama, about 50 miles north of Birmingham. The town of roughly 3,200 people provides a small-town atmosphere where 98.37% of students come from in-state. This agricultural region is known for its rolling hills and traditional Southern charm. The campus serves as an educational center for surrounding rural communities that lack easy access to higher education. Students live in a tight-knit environment where the college is often the largest employer and cultural center. The rural-distant setting means fewer distractions but also fewer entertainment options compared to urban campuses. Students considering colleges in Alabama may also compare George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville with similar schools in the region.
Address
Hanceville, Alabama 35077-2000

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$39,842
Median Earnings (5 years)
$45,791
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$29,200
Loan Repayment Rate
44.0%
Monthly Loan Payment
$117/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How accessible is admission to George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?

As an open-admission community college, Wallace State welcomes students from all academic backgrounds without requiring entrance exams or minimum GPA requirements. The school serves 4,413 students with 98.37% coming from Alabama, making it a local educational center for north central Alabama residents.

What does George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $14,042 annually, though costs vary by family income. Low-income students (under $30,000) pay around $12,407 while higher-income families ($110,000+) pay $18,676, with 32.29% of students receiving Pell Grants.

What academic programs is George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville known for?

The college specializes in technical and healthcare programs that prepare students for immediate employment in Alabama's workforce. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention in career-focused programs that lead to strong job prospects in the region.

How successful are graduates from George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?

Graduates achieve a 97.1% employment rate and earn a median salary of $39,842 ten years after graduation. While the six-year graduation rate stands at 48.20%, those who complete their programs typically carry manageable debt loads averaging $11,000.

What is campus life like at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?

The rural campus houses 180 students in on-campus housing for $4,900 annually and fields 11 NJCAA varsity sports teams called the Lions. With 129 total athletes receiving $841,318 in athletic scholarships, sports play a notable role in campus culture for this small Alabama community college.

Does George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville serve a diverse student population?

The student body is 67.78% female and predominantly local, with strong representation from Alabama's working families. Students are 76.30% white, 9.47% Hispanic, and 8.72% Black, reflecting the demographics of north central Alabama's rural communities.