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Southern Union State Community College
Wadley, Alabama · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 750 Roberts St, Wadley, AL 36276 · Phone: (256) 395-2211 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Southern Union State Community College is a public trade and career school in Wadley, Alabama, offering LPN/LVN programs, EMT and paramedic training, and welding, accredited by SACS and ACEN.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Southern Union's completion rate is 35.8%, below the Alabama state average of 45.5%; median graduate debt is $11,000 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,597.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for this campus; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 34.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $39,880 | $57,030 | $61,800 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,620 | $37,810 | $44,210 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,710 | $48,490 | $60,120 |
| Machinists | $37,770 | $55,560 | $66,190 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,300 | $29,150 | $37,230 |
| Medical assistants | $29,630 | $36,100 | $38,360 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $36,510 | $48,370 | $60,020 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $41,060 | $60,700 | $71,620 |
| Surgical technologists | $36,490 | $49,420 | $59,990 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,030 | $45,640 | $61,560 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 102 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 79 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 36 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 23 | $34,891 | $33,007 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | $34,891 | $33,007 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | $34,891 | $33,007 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | 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
Southern Union State Community College is a public community college in Wadley, Alabama, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and, for its nursing programs, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this campus. Among its 20 program families, the largest trade programs by completions are LPN/LVN programs, EMT & paramedic training, and welding schools.
Federal data show a completion rate of 35.8%, which is below the Alabama state average of 45.5%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $11,000, and median earnings ten years after entry were $36,597. Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 34.1% of students receive Pell Grants, an indicator of the share of lower-income students served.
With a remote rural locale, this campus likely serves students who live nearby and want short, hands-on training in fields like nursing support, emergency medicine, and welding rather than a traditional four-year path. Whether a specific program fits an adult career-changer depends on program length and schedule, details not included in this data set — contact the school directly to confirm. To verify accreditation status and see the latest federal outcome figures yourself, check the accreditors listed above and search the school on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Southern Union offers 20 program families, with the largest by completions being LPN/LVN programs, EMT and paramedic training, and welding schools. Other program areas include CNC machining, cosmetology, medical assisting, HVAC, radiology tech, surgical tech, auto mechanics, and massage therapy.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with its nursing programs also accredited 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 use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 35.8%, which is below the Alabama state average of 45.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $11,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,597, per the College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (256) 395-2211 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Southern Union is a public community college, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to for-profit schools, and it participates in federal aid programs.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to confirm schedules for specific programs like LPN or welding.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status through SACS and ACEN, and review federal outcome data directly on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?251260.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers short-term trade programs such as EMT training and welding alongside longer LPN training, which may suit career changers, but specific scheduling and format details are not reported here; contact the school to confirm fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or check with Alabama's licensing boards for programs like LPN, EMT, or welding certification.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Southern Union State Community College at (256) 395-2211 or visit https://www.suscc.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across schools offering similar programs.
Nearby trade and career schools in Alabama
- Gadsden State Community College (Anniston)Anniston, AL
- Gc Trucking SchoolAnniston, 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.