Beacon College serves students who need specialized academic support and individualized attention that larger institutions typically cannot provide.
The college's mission focuses on accessibility and student success rather than traditional financial outcomes, making it a unique option for specific student populations.
Beacon College is a small private nonprofit institution in Leesburg, Florida, designed to serve students who need specialized academic support. The college focuses on providing individualized attention in a small-campus environment, with about 26% of students receiving Pell Grants and roughly 19% being first-generation college students.
The institution's financial outcomes reflect its specialized mission rather than traditional return-on-investment metrics. Graduates earn a median of $29,420 ten years after enrollment, which places the college in the bottom 5.5% nationally for earnings outcomes. The college's completion rates show improvement over time, with 41% of students graduating within four years and 57% completing within six years.
For families considering Beacon College, the value proposition centers on specialized services and support rather than traditional economic returns. The institution serves students who may not succeed in conventional college environments, making direct comparisons with typical four-year institutions less meaningful. Net prices vary significantly by income level, and families typically rely heavily on both federal student loans and Parent PLUS borrowing to cover costs.
Beacon College's program offerings are designed around its specialized mission of serving students with learning differences rather than maximizing post-graduation earnings. The institution focuses on providing individualized support and smaller class sizes across its academic programs, emphasizing student success and completion rather than specific high-earning career tracks.
The college's approach prioritizes accessibility and support services over traditional program rankings or earnings outcomes. Students and families should evaluate programs based on the specialized services provided and the institution's track record of helping students with learning differences complete their degrees, rather than comparing earnings potential with conventional four-year institutions.
Beacon College graduates face challenging long-term financial outcomes compared to typical four-year institutions. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $29,420, placing the college in the bottom 5.5% nationally for earnings performance. Earlier in their careers, at the six-year mark, median earnings are $19,919, reflecting the extended timeline many graduates need to establish stable employment.
The college's specialized focus means that traditional return-on-investment calculations may not fully capture the value students receive. Rather than preparing students for high-earning careers, Beacon College emphasizes providing the support and credentials needed for students with learning differences to enter the workforce. The institution's mission centers on accessibility and individualized support rather than maximizing post-graduation earnings, which explains why financial outcomes differ significantly from conventional four-year colleges.
Affordability at Beacon College varies dramatically by family income, with net prices that reflect the institution's private, specialized nature. Low-income families pay approximately $28,819 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $23,282 per year. High-income families face substantially higher net prices of about $45,193, indicating limited financial aid availability for families with higher earnings.
The college's affordability profile places it in the bottom 3% nationally, reflecting both high sticker prices and limited institutional aid. Most students rely on federal financial aid, with typical graduates carrying $25,000 in federal student loan debt. Parent PLUS borrowing is particularly heavy, averaging $61,040, which represents a significant financial commitment for families. These debt levels, combined with modest post-graduation earnings, create challenging repayment scenarios that families should carefully consider before enrollment.
Beacon College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis