Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama, announced that it is experiencing its strongest enrollment growth in more than a decade. The college enrolled 1,417 students in Fall 2025, a 19% increase over the last year’s 1,187, and credit hour production rose 23% to 10,760 hours. HCF applauds Drake State and its leadership on this remarkable achievement.

College leaders attribute the surge to expanded programs, increased outreach to local high schools and industry partners, and enhanced student support services.

“This remarkable growth is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff, our community partners, and our students’ belief in the value of Drake State education,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community and Technical College. “We are thrilled to have so many new and returning students who are taking the next step toward achieving their goals.”

Drake State is the first and only higher education institution in Alabama to operate as both a traditional two-year community college and a provider of technical trade programs. Drake State continues to advance its mission of empowering students through career-focused education, hands-on training, and community engagement that fuels workforce development across North Alabama.

“As we celebrate this achievement, our next priority is ensuring every student who starts at Drake State finishes strong,” Dr. Sims added. “We’re committed to providing the resources, guidance, and support our students need to reach graduation and beyond.”

“We proudly celebrate Drake State for achieving a historic increase in student enrollment. This remarkable growth reflects the institution’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to high-quality, career-focused education and strengthening workforce development across north Alabama,” said Demetrius Johnson, Jr., Founder, President & CEO, HCF. “We remain steadfast in our support of Drake State’s mission and look forward to witnessing its continued growth and impact.”

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