HomeAlabamaWelding schools › Southern Union State Community College

Southern Union State Community College

Wadley, Alabama · public · mainly awards certificates · 4,173 students · WeldingMachining & CNCHVACDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenanceMedical AssistingPractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)CosmetologyBarberingEMT & ParamedicRadiologic TechnologyMassage Therapy

Avg net price / yr
$6,142
cheaper than 69% of comparable schools
Completion rate
30.3%
Median debt at completion
$11,000
Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)
$36,597
earns ~$5,958.5 per $1k of yearly net price

About

Southern Union State Community College is a public school in Wadley, AL, that mainly awards certificates to local students. With an average annual net price of $6,142, it serves a population of 4,173 students across various technical fields.

What to know

The school reports a completion rate of 30.3%, which is typical for public community colleges where many students transfer out. Median student debt at completion is $11,000, a figure you should compare against reported earnings rather than annual costs. Typical earnings two years after graduation vary significantly by program, ranging from $15,552 in cosmetology to $42,682 in precision metal working.

Reported median earnings are 5% below the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

34.1% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in Alabama.

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Programs & what graduates earn

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings 2 yrs after completion
Precision Metal Workingassociate degree$42,682
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsassociate degree$33,007
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsassociate degree$30,409
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Servicesassociate degree$15,552
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)undergraduate certificatenot reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)associate degreenot reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Precision Metal Workingundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Show all 23 other programs at this school
ProgramCredentialMedian earnings (2 yr after completion)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursingassociate degree$48,752
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Techniciansassociate degree$48,041
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesassociate degree$22,420
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitiesassociate degree$19,891
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesassociate degree$16,786
Computer and Information Sciences, Generalundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer and Information Sciences, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Industrial Production Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitiesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Otherassociate degreenot reported
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnessundergraduate certificatenot reported
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitnessassociate degreenot reported
Criminal Justice and Correctionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Health and Medical Administrative Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business/Commerce, Generalundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business/Commerce, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Business Operations Support and Assistant Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In Alabama:

Questions students ask

What programs are offered and at what credential level?
The school offers associate degrees in Precision Metal Working, Allied Health, Practical Nursing, and HVAC, plus undergraduate certificates in Cosmetology, HVAC, and Vehicle Maintenance, along with 31 other programs.
How much do graduates in Precision Metal Working typically earn?
The median earnings for graduates in Precision Metal Working two years after completion are reported at $42,682.
How many students finish their programs at Southern Union State?
The reported completion rate is 30.3%. This metric does not include students who transfer to four-year institutions, which is common for public community colleges.
How large is the student body?
The school currently has 4,173 enrolled students.
Is Southern Union State a public or private school?
It is a public school located in Wadley, AL.

Other options in Alabama

SchoolCityNet price / yrCompletionEarnings (10 yr)
Central Alabama Community CollegeAlexander City$15,99627.6%$33,506
Coastal Alabama Community CollegeBay Minette$13,64424.1%$34,894
Gadsden State Community CollegeGadsden$3,51531.2%$32,937
George C Wallace Community College-DothanDothan$1,17036.5%$31,399
George C Wallace State Community College-HancevilleHanceville$13,17044.4%$39,842
George C Wallace State Community College-SelmaSelma$9,27230.4%$31,598
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 251260. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.