At $10,880/yr net price, Shelton State Community College graduates earn $35,014/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,014/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,880 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,520 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,014/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,014/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 42.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.5% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,256/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,835/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,628/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,687/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology. | Associate | $55,964 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,358 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $46,321 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,699 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $26,534 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $24,267 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $21,508 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $17,717 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $17,060 |
The Risk Factor
21.5% of students at Shelton State Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Shelton State's financial picture is mixed, and the split runs straight through your choice of program. The median graduate earns $35,014 ten years out, which sits below what the strongest programs here actually pay. That gap tells you the school-wide median is dragged down by weaker fields, not by the standouts.
The technical and health tracks are where the money is. Electrical and electronics maintenance and registered nursing both clear $53,000 as associate degrees, roughly $18,000 more than the typical Shelton State graduate. Vehicle maintenance pays over $46,000 with only a certificate. These line up with Tuscaloosa's industrial and healthcare employers, and they carry no bachelor's-level debt. If you enroll in one of these, the return works.
The risk is finishing at all. The graduation rate is 21.5%, so most people who start here do not complete on time. Your earnings numbers only apply if you get the credential, and the odds say many won't. That is the single biggest financial danger at this school, bigger than any tuition figure.
The net price data holds a warning for middle-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay around $10,300 to $10,800. But in the $48,000 to $110,000 range, your price jumps to roughly $13,600 with almost no difference between the two tiers. Middle earners here get the least help relative to cost.
Shelton State is a good fit if you commit to nursing, electrical maintenance, or vehicle repair and intend to finish. It is a poor bet if you enroll undecided or drift into a program with no salary data behind it, since the completion odds and the below-median earnings will both work against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Shelton State Community College worth the cost?
Shelton State offers decent value for technical programs, with electrical maintenance grads earning $56,000 annually against a net cost of $10,880 per year. However, the 21.5% graduation rate means most students don't complete their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Shelton State Community College?
Electrical maintenance technology and registered nursing are the top earners at around $55,000 annually. Vehicle repair technology also pays well at $46,000, making these programs the best ROI options at Shelton State.
How much debt do Shelton State Community College graduates have?
At $10,880 per year, Shelton State is relatively affordable for community college. Students who complete technical programs like electrical or nursing can typically pay off costs quickly given the higher starting salaries.
What is the graduation rate at Shelton State Community College?
Only 21.5% of students graduate from Shelton State, which is concerning for ROI. This low completion rate means many students pay costs without earning credentials that boost their income.