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Gadsden State Community College
Gadsden, Alabama · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1001 George Wallace Dr, Gadsden, AL 35903 · Phone: (256) 549-8200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Gadsden State Community College is a public trade and career school in Gadsden, Alabama, offering EMT & paramedic training, cosmetology, and welding programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Gadsden State's completion rate is 38.2%, below the Alabama state average of 45.5%, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,937, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Gadsden State Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used, and 46.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,620 | $37,810 | $44,210 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,300 | $29,150 | $37,230 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,710 | $48,490 | $60,120 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $39,880 | $57,030 | $61,800 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,030 | $45,640 | $61,560 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $41,060 | $60,700 | $71,620 |
| Surgical technologists | $36,490 | $49,420 | $59,990 |
| Construction laborers | $23,980 | $36,900 | $45,240 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $37,470 | $50,470 | $61,030 |
| Medical records specialists | $30,250 | $43,810 | $52,040 |
| Massage therapists | $22,250 | $48,930 | $79,170 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Alabama (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 185 | $25,651 | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 75 | $35,266 | $27,126 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 48 | not reported | $21,964 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 41 | not reported | $35,952 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 40 | not reported | $21,964 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 31 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 27 | not reported | $35,952 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 21 | $25,651 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 20 | $36,679 | $38,649 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 20 | $36,679 | $38,649 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 19 | not reported | $35,952 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | $32,174 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | $35,952 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | $32,174 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | $32,174 | not reported |
| Mason/Masonry | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | $32,174 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | $32,174 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | $36,679 | $38,649 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | $25,651 | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Gadsden State Community College is a public community college in Gadsden, Alabama. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help cover costs. The campus holds accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, plus program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Across 24 program families, the school's most-completed trade programs are EMT & paramedic training, cosmetology, and welding.
Federal data show a completion rate of 38.2%, which is below the Alabama state average of 45.5%. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,937. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 46.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of lower-income students enroll here.
With 658 trade program completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 3,548, this small-city campus offers a range of program lengths across its 24 families, from shorter certificate-style training like EMT and cosmetology to longer allied-health tracks such as radiology and surgical technology. This mix may suit both first-time students and adult career changers, though specific program lengths and schedules are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Gadsden State Community College offers 24 program families, with the most-completed being EMT & paramedic training, cosmetology, and welding schools. Other offerings include LPN programs, radiology and surgical technology, diesel and auto mechanics, construction trades, medical billing and coding, and massage therapy.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Gadsden State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-level accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants can be used to help cover costs.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 38.2%, which is below the Alabama state average of 45.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (256) 549-8200 or check the College Scorecard for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,937 per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly via its website or phone for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Gadsden State is a public community college, which generally means lower published tuition rates and eligibility for state and federal funding compared to for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the provided data. Contact the school directly to confirm program durations for individual trades.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and review federal outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?101240, or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both shorter programs, such as EMT and cosmetology, and longer allied-health tracks like radiology and surgical technology, which may suit career changers with different time commitments, though specific scheduling details are not reported here.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Gadsden State Community College at (256) 549-8200 or through its website at https://www.gadsdenstate.edu/ for application details.
Nearby trade and career schools in Alabama
- Gadsden State Community College (Gadsden)Gadsden, AL
- Northeast Alabama Community CollegeRainsville, AL · 56% completion
- New Beginning College of CosmetologyAlbertville, AL · 31% completion
- Snead State Community CollegeBoaz, AL · 49% completion
- Marshall Technical School CDLGuntersville, AL
- corbitt power and light llcAlbertville, AL
- George C Wallace State Community College-HancevilleHanceville, AL · 51% completion
- J F Ingram State Technical CollegeDeatsville, AL · 21% completion
See all trade and career schools in Alabama or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.