John C Calhoun State Community College: $5,060 Tuition

$5,060Tuition

6,928Students

41%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,192Earnings

#14 in AlabamaPublic2-yearNJCAAData: 2023-24

About John C Calhoun State Community College

John C Calhoun State Community College serves 6,928 students in the small city of Tanner, Alabama. The college has built its reputation as a practical stepping stone for students seeking affordable career training and transfer pathways. With a 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes tend to be larger than at some community colleges, but the focus remains on hands-on learning and workforce preparation.

The financial picture looks encouraging for most students. After financial aid, the average student pays $7,336 per year, though low-income families often pay just $5,476. Graduates typically earn $38,192 ten years after enrollment, making the median debt load of $12,000 manageable with monthly payments around $127. The 91.9% employment rate suggests strong job placement, though only 7.95% of students receive institutional grants averaging $5,119.

The student body reflects Alabama's demographics, with 61.36% white students and 16.82% Black students. Women make up 56.74% of enrollment. Nearly all students come from Alabama (95.90%), creating a tight-knit community feel. The college fields 9 varsity sports teams with 162 total athletes competing in NJCAA divisions, supported by $737,775 in athletic scholarships that help students afford their education while representing the school.

Academics & Faculty

John C. Calhoun State serves nearly 7,000 students across career-focused programs that connect directly to regional job markets. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means classes fill up quickly, but instructors know most students by name. About 41% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many face balancing work and school. The college excels in technical training, particularly automotive technology, welding, and health sciences programs that feed into Huntsville's aerospace and manufacturing sectors. Students often transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce immediately, with 92% finding employment after graduation.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Full-Time Faculty: 44.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 40.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,192

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$46,730
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$46,673
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$45,794
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$42,682
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$33,993
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Associate	$32,925
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$24,124

View all 32 programs →

Campus Life

Students at John C Calhoun State navigate a campus tucked into rural Alabama, about 30 minutes south of Huntsville and an hour from Birmingham. With 6,928 students spread across a commuter-focused campus, the 22:1 student-faculty ratio means classes feel more intimate than the enrollment suggests. Most students drive in from surrounding towns since this is primarily a commuter school with no traditional dormitories.

Alabama's humid subtropical climate means you'll need both winter jackets for January lows in the 30s and plenty of sunscreen for summer heat that routinely hits the 90s. The 91.9% employment rate reflects the school's strong ties to local industry and workforce development. Weekends often center around the nine varsity sports programs, which attract 162 student athletes with $737,775 in athletic scholarships available. With 95.90% of students from Alabama, the campus maintains a distinctly local feel where many students already know each other from high school or work in the region's manufacturing and technical sectors.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Dating Violence	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 32°–50°F
July Avg: 69°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 49.5"
Annual Snowfall: 1.1"

Student Demographics

John C Calhoun State Community College draws students primarily from Alabama and the surrounding region, with 96% coming from in-state. The student body is 57% women, reflecting strong programs in healthcare and education that attract female students. About one-third receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves working-class families seeking affordable pathways to careers or four-year transfers. The college has built a solid local reputation in the Tennessee Valley, particularly for technical training and nursing programs that prepare students for regional employers in manufacturing and healthcare.

Men: 43.3%
Women: 56.7%
White: 61.4%
Black: 16.8%
Hispanic: 10.2%
Asian: 2.0%
In-State Students: 95.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 31.4%

Location

Tanner sits in northern Alabama, about 15 miles southwest of Huntsville and roughly 100 miles north of Birmingham. The small city of 1,600 residents provides a quiet setting for the college's 6,928 students. Alabama's Tennessee Valley region offers a mix of small-town charm and proximity to Huntsville's aerospace industry, including NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The area features rolling hills and Tennessee River tributaries. Over 95% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's strong local ties. The campus serves communities throughout the Tennessee Valley with career training and transfer programs. Students considering colleges in Alabama may also compare John C Calhoun State Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Tanner, Alabama 35671

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,192
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,398
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 38.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at John C Calhoun State Community College?

As a community college, John C Calhoun State maintains an open enrollment policy for most programs. The school serves 6,928 students and welcomes nearly all applicants who have completed high school or earned a GED. Some specialized programs may have additional prerequisites or capacity limits.

How much does John C Calhoun State Community College cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $7,336 annually for all students. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $5,476 on average, while those from higher-income families pay up to $12,108. About 31% of students receive Pell Grants, making this an affordable option for Alabama residents.

What is the student-faculty ratio at John C Calhoun State Community College?

The student-faculty ratio is 22:1, which is typical for community colleges but means larger class sizes than four-year institutions. The college operates on a semester calendar system. Students can choose from various associate degree and certificate programs designed for either transfer or immediate workforce entry.

What are employment outcomes like for John C Calhoun State Community College graduates?

Graduates have a 91.9% employment rate, reflecting strong job placement in the local market. The median earnings after 10 years are $38,192, which is competitive for two-year degree holders. However, only 40.8% of students complete their programs within six years, indicating challenges with retention.

Where is John C Calhoun State Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Tanner, Alabama, a small city setting that serves the northern Alabama region. With 56.7% women and 43.3% men, the student body is predominantly local with 95.9% coming from in-state. The campus offers nine varsity sports competing in NJCAA with 162 total athletes.

Does John C Calhoun State Community College offer good value for students with loans?

Only 18.25% of students take federal loans, keeping debt levels low with a median of $12,000. Monthly loan payments average just $127 for those who borrow. However, the loan repayment rate is only 38.06%, suggesting some graduates struggle to pay back their educational debt despite the relatively small amounts.