Quick Facts

• Location: Huntsville, Alabama
• Address: 3421 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL 35811
• School Type: Public Community & Technical College / HBCU
• Programs Offered: Welding, Electrical Technology, Building Construction, Machine Tool Technology, Mechatronics, Engineering Design and other career programs
• Training Style: Hands-on laboratories, certificates, short-term certificates and AAS degrees
• Tuition Range: 2026–27 Alabama resident tuition and fees: $204/credit; nonresident: $337/credit
• Program Length: Short certificates through approximately 2-year AAS programs
• Online Programs Available: Selected college courses/programs
• Hybrid Learning: Selected offerings; core skilled trades rely heavily on in-person technical training
• Financial Aid: Pell Grants, FSEOG, Federal Work-Study, Alabama aid, WIOA, scholarships, veterans benefits and other assistance
• FAFSA School Code: 005260
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Average Rating: ⭐ 3.9 (66 Reviews)
• Website: Official Drake State website

Overview

J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College is one of the strongest schools to include on your Alabama page, particularly for students in the Huntsville area. It is a public two-year historically Black community and technical college and a member of the Alabama Community College System.

Its Advanced Manufacturing division is especially relevant to TradeSchoolScout. Current programs include Electrical Technology, Engineering Design, Machine Tool Technology, Building Construction Technology, Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance and Welding. The college emphasizes nationally recognized industry credentials and hands-on technical training.

Programs Offered

Major skilled-trade and advanced-manufacturing programs include:

• Welding
• Electrical Technology
• Machine Tool Technology
• Building Construction Technology
• Mechatronics / Industrial Maintenance
• Engineering Design

Welding

Welding is particularly flexible because Drake State offers an AAS, full certificate and numerous short certificates.

Options include:

• Welding AAS
• Welding Certificate
• AWS Certification Short Certificate
• GMAW / MIG
• GTAW / TIG
• GTAW Pipe Welding
• FCAW / Flux-Core
• SMAW / Stick
• SMAW Groove Welding
• SMAW Pipe Welding
• Welding Blueprint
• Consumable Welding

That stackable structure is useful for students who want either a full college credential or targeted welding training.

Electrical Technology

Electrical Technology is part of Drake State’s Advanced Manufacturing division and is available through degree and certificate pathways. Students receive technical preparation applicable to electrical careers while gaining practical hands-on experience.

Graduation should not be confused with becoming a licensed electrician; apprenticeship, work-experience and licensing requirements still apply.

Mechatronics / Industrial Maintenance

The Mechatronics pathway prepares students for industrial environments where electrical, mechanical and automated systems intersect.

This is particularly relevant in the Huntsville region’s advanced-manufacturing sector. Drake State also lists nationally recognized industry certifications as part of its Advanced Manufacturing strategy.

Machine Tool Technology

Machine Tool Technology provides another advanced-manufacturing pathway for students interested in machining and production environments. It sits alongside Welding, Mechatronics and Engineering Design in Drake State’s technical program lineup.

Building Construction Technology

Students interested in construction can pursue Building Construction Technology as another degree/certificate option within Advanced Manufacturing.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For 2026–27, Drake State publishes:

Alabama residents
• Tuition: $133/credit
• Combined mandatory fees: $71/credit
• Total: $204/credit

A 15-credit semester therefore totals approximately $3,060 before books, program expenses and living costs.

Nonresidents: approximately $337 per credit including tuition and standard fees.

Financial-aid opportunities include:

• Federal Pell Grants
• FSEOG
• Federal Work-Study
• Alabama Student Assistance Program
• Alabama National Guard assistance
• WIOA
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Veterans benefits
• Institutional scholarships

FAFSA School Code: 005260.

Accreditation

Drake State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees and approved certificates/diplomas.

The college also lists specialized credentials/accreditations including HVAC Excellence, ASE Excellence and NIMS among its institutional capabilities.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public technical-college tuition
• Strong Huntsville location
• Welding AAS and numerous short certificates
• Electrical Technology
• Mechatronics/Industrial Maintenance
• Machine Tool Technology
• Building Construction
• Stackable credentials
• Nationally recognized industry certifications
• Federal and state financial aid
• Historically Black college
• Advanced-manufacturing focus

Career Opportunities

Depending on program, graduates may pursue entry-level careers such as:

• Welder/Fabricator
• TIG Welder
• Pipe Welder
• Electrical Technician
• Electrician Apprentice
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Mechatronics Technician
• CNC/Machine Tool Technician
• Construction Technician
• Engineering/Design Technician

Employer certifications, apprenticeship requirements and occupational licensing may apply.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google data:

⭐ Average Rating: 3.9 (66 Reviews)

Because Drake State serves both technical and academic students, the overall rating should not be interpreted as a rating of its Welding or Advanced Manufacturing departments specifically.

Enrollment Tips

Students interested in welding should compare the full AAS or certificate with Drake State’s many short certificates. Someone who already has related experience may benefit more from targeted TIG, MIG, Stick, pipe or AWS-focused training than completing an entire degree.

At $204 per credit for Alabama residents, Drake State should also be compared carefully with private trade schools, particularly when federal/state aid or workforce funding is available.

Bottom Line

J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College should be a featured school on the Alabama page. Its combination of Welding, Electrical, Mechatronics, Machine Tool and Building Construction training, public-college pricing and extensive financial-aid options makes it one of the stronger skilled-trades choices in northern Alabama.