Central Alabama Community College vs J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central Alabama Community College comes closer — median earnings $33,506 against a $63,984 total, vs $28,281 at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central Alabama Community College | J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,996 | $6,005 |
| Total net cost | $63,984 | $24,020 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $33,506 | $28,281 |
| Median debt | $9,766 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$361,064 | -$425,600 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central Alabama Community College 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 $15,996 — a gap of $9,991 a year, or $39,964 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Central Alabama Community College or J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College graduates earn more?
Central Alabama Community College graduates report a median $33,506 ten years after entry, $5,225 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?
33% of students finish at Central Alabama Community College, 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.