Alabama A & M University vs J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alabama A & M University comes closer — median earnings $40,628 against a $70,484 total, vs $28,281 at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alabama A & M University | J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,621 | $6,005 |
| Total net cost | $70,484 | $24,020 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,628 | $28,281 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$225,124 | -$425,600 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alabama A & M University or J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College?
J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College, at $6,005 a year after aid versus $17,621 — a gap of $11,616 a year, or $46,464 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Alabama A & M University or J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College graduates earn more?
Alabama A & M University graduates report a median $40,628 ten years after entry, $12,347 more than the $28,281 at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
24% of students finish at Alabama A & M University, against 14% at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.