Jefferson State at a Glance
Jefferson State Community College, one of Alabama's leading two-year
colleges, has provided excellence in education and workforce training for
the greater Birmingham area for over 45 years. Founded in 1965, Jefferson
State offers more than 120 university transfer programs, 20 career programs
with multiple options, and numerous certificate programs.
Jefferson State also offers a comprehensive approach to workforce
training through a variety of credit and non-credit programs. The college
serves approximately 15,000 students (approximately 10,000 for credit and
5000 for non-credit). Several convenient locations, along with online
instruction, provide the accessibility needed in a busy lifestyle. Locations
include the Shelby-Hoover Campus in northern Shelby County, the
Jefferson Campus in eastern Jefferson
County, the St. Clair-Pell City Center and the Chilton-Clanton Center.
Founded - 1965
Locations -
Accreditation -
Jefferson State is
accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate Degree.
Individual academic programs are nationally accredited by 10 different
professional evaluating organizations.
Enrollment - Approximately 15,000 students served (for
credit and non-credit)
Student Characteristics - Average age 26, 56 percent
under age 23, 33 percent between ages 23 and 40, 60 percent female
Estimated Costs - Including tuition and fees, the
approximate cost per semester for full-time students is $1656. Annual
tuition to attend a two-year college is just over 50 percent of the tuition
to attend a public four-year university in Alabama.
Programs of Study - Jefferson State offers more than 120
University Transfer Programs, 40 Career Programs and numerous Certificate
Programs. These programs are offered during the day, evening, weekends and
via the Internet.
Workforce Development - Jefferson State offers a
comprehensive approach to customized workforce training through an ACT
Center, Training for Business and Industry, GED programs, adult education,
remedial education, workforce readiness training, and programs to assist
dislocated workers, displaced homemakers and other special populations.
Alabama Community College System Fast Facts
- The System seeks to provide affordable, accessible quality
educational opportunities, to promote economic growth, and to enhance
the quality of life for people of Alabama.
- 65 percent of all college freshmen and sophomores in Alabama are
enrolled in Alabama Community College System institutions.
- 96 percent of Alabama Community College System students are from
Alabama.
- 80 percent of all new jobs in the next decade will require
postsecondary education, but not necessarily university degrees.
- Two-year college graduates earn 24 percent more in the workplace
than those with a high school diploma.
- The average age of the Alabama Community College System student is
28 and 23 percent are over age 40.
- Two-year college students transferring to four-year universities and
enrolling in teacher education programs have a pass rate of 94 percent
on the Basic Skills Test compared with an 85 percent pass rate for all
other students.
- 98 percent of all new practical nurses and 55 percent of all new
professional nurses in Alabama during the past three years have
graduated from Alabama Community College System institutions.
- 81 percent of professional and practical nursing graduates from
Alabama Community College System institutions pass the national
licensure examination on their first attempt, exceeding the State Board
of Nursing standards that require a minimum 80 percent passing rate.
- The Alabama Community College System offers customized training and
other special assistance to approximately 10,000 employees of 900
Alabama businesses and industries each year.
- The Alabama Community College System enrolls 55 percent of all
first-time college students in Alabama.