Career Training Path › Alabama › Shelton State Community College
Shelton State Community College
Tuscaloosa, Alabama · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 9500 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 · Phone: (205) 391-2211 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Shelton State Community College is a public trade and career school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, offering cosmetology, LPN/LVN nursing, and auto mechanics programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
Shelton State Community College has a 29.6% completion rate, below the Alabama state average of 45.5%, and graduates earn a median of $35,014 ten years after entry, 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 Shelton State Community College; contact the school for current tuition. The school accepts federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 43.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,300 | $29,150 | $37,230 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $39,880 | $57,030 | $61,800 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,030 | $45,640 | $61,560 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,710 | $48,490 | $60,120 |
| Electricians | $37,640 | $55,690 | $64,450 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $39,940 | $62,400 | $74,130 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $37,470 | $50,470 | $61,030 |
| Machinists | $37,770 | $55,560 | $66,190 |
| Medical records specialists | $30,250 | $43,810 | $52,040 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 85 | $37,310 | $37,699 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 51 | not reported | $17,060 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 38 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 29 | $32,243 | $46,321 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | $32,243 | $46,321 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | $32,243 | $46,321 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 16 | $33,093 | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 13 | not reported | $21,508 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | $32,243 | $46,321 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | $17,060 | 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
Shelton State Community College is a public community college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, located in a midsize city setting. The school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), so students can use FAFSA-based aid to help cover costs. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with its nursing offerings also reviewed by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Across 27 program families, the campus awards the most credentials in cosmetology, LPN/LVN nursing, and auto mechanics, with additional trade offerings in welding, electrician training, culinary arts, diesel mechanics, CNC machining, and medical billing and coding.
On outcomes, Shelton State's completion rate is 29.6%, which is below the Alabama state average of 45.5% for similar programs. Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are reported at $35,014. 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 43.0% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting a substantial share of the student body comes from lower-income backgrounds.
With 492 trade-program completers and enrollment near 3,148 undergraduates, the campus supports a range of program lengths from shorter certificate tracks to associate-level study, though specific program durations are not detailed here. This mix may suit both recent high school graduates and adult career changers seeking hands-on trades training, though applicants should confirm scheduling and format directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome data yourself, check with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Shelton State offers 27 program families, with the most awards in cosmetology, LPN/LVN nursing, and auto mechanics. Additional trade programs include welding, electrician training, culinary arts, diesel mechanics, CNC machining, and medical billing and coding.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Shelton State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with its nursing programs also reviewed by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 29.6%, 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 (205) 391-2211 or check the College Scorecard for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $35,014, per federal Scorecard 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 for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Shelton State is a public community college, which typically means lower tuition rates than for-profit institutions and eligibility for state and federal funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly to confirm program durations for programs like cosmetology or LPN training.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?102067.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers both shorter certificate programs and associate-level study across trades like cosmetology, nursing, and auto mechanics, which may suit adult career changers, though specific scheduling details are not reported here.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements vary by program, such as LPN licensure for nursing graduates; this information is not detailed in the data provided, so contact the school for specifics.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Shelton State Community College at (205) 391-2211 or visit https://www.sheltonstate.edu/ for application details.
Nearby trade and career schools in Alabama
- University Academy of Hair DesignTuscaloosa, AL · 81% completion
- Elite CDL TrainingNorthport, AL
- George C Wallace State Community College-HancevilleHanceville, AL · 51% completion
- J F Ingram State Technical CollegeDeatsville, AL · 21% completion
- Bevill State Community CollegeJasper, AL · 38% completion
- Gadsden State Community CollegeGadsden, AL · 38% completion
- Coastal Alabama Community CollegeBay Minette, AL · 31% completion
- Northwest Shoals Community CollegeMuscle Shoals, AL · 39% 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.