Students at Flagler College benefit from a private college environment with pricing that's more accessible than most private institutions, making quality education attainable for middle-class families.
The college delivers consistent outcomes across programs, with particularly strong performance in business fields and effective support systems that help Pell recipients graduate at higher rates than the overall student body.
Flagler College is a medium-sized private nonprofit institution in Saint Augustine, Florida, that offers a distinctive blend of private college benefits at more accessible price points than many peer institutions. With around 2,800 students, Flagler provides the personal attention and campus community typical of smaller private colleges while maintaining net prices that are often more manageable for middle-class families than comparable private institutions.
The college serves a moderately diverse student body, with about 28% receiving Pell Grants and 28% being first-generation college students. Graduates earn a median of $49,483 ten years after enrollment, placing Flagler near the middle of the national distribution for long-term earnings outcomes. While not among the highest-earning institutions, Flagler delivers consistent, predictable results across its program portfolio.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Flagler focuses on providing solid educational foundations and career preparation rather than dramatic upward mobility. The college's strength lies in its ability to offer private college advantages—small classes, personalized attention, and strong campus community—while keeping costs more reasonable than many private alternatives, making it particularly appealing to families seeking value in the private education sector.
Flagler College's program portfolio reflects its focus on practical, career-oriented education that prepares students for immediate workforce entry. Business Administration dominates with 147 graduates and serves as the college's primary economic engine, combining high enrollment with solid early-career earnings around $36,452. This program's scale and consistent outcomes make it central to Flagler's value proposition for students seeking business careers in Florida's service economy.
Accounting emerges as the college's highest-earning program, with graduates earning approximately $43,128 early in their careers—substantially higher than the institutional average. With 50 graduates annually, this program represents a focused strength that delivers clear financial returns for students entering Florida's growing financial services sector. Psychology, while popular with 59 graduates, shows the more modest early earnings typical of liberal arts fields that often require additional education or experience for higher compensation.
The program mix reflects Flagler's positioning as a professionally-oriented institution rather than a liberal arts college or research university. Students benefit from concentrated programs that emphasize practical skills and direct career preparation, particularly in business and professional fields that align with regional employment opportunities.
Flagler College graduates achieve solid, middle-tier earnings outcomes that reflect the institution's focus on practical career preparation. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $49,483, which places the college around the national average for long-term earnings. While not among the highest-earning institutions, Flagler provides consistent financial outcomes across its program mix, with most graduates achieving stable, middle-class earnings levels.
The college's strongest financial returns come from its business and accounting programs. Business Administration graduates, representing Flagler's largest program with 147 students, earn around $36,452 early in their careers, while Accounting majors achieve higher early earnings of approximately $43,128. Psychology, another popular major with 59 graduates, shows more modest early earnings at $24,615, reflecting typical patterns for liberal arts fields that often require additional education or experience for higher compensation.
Flagler's career outcomes reflect its positioning as a practical, professionally-oriented institution rather than a research university. The college's programs are designed to prepare students for immediate workforce entry, particularly in business, education, and communications fields that form the backbone of Florida's service economy.
Flagler College stands out among private institutions for its relatively accessible pricing structure across income levels. Low-income students pay about $22,668 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $25,428 per year—significantly lower than typical private college pricing. Even high-income families pay $35,920, which remains competitive with many public out-of-state options and well below most private college sticker prices.
The college's affordability advantage becomes particularly clear for middle-income families who often struggle with private college costs elsewhere. Flagler's pricing structure recognizes that many families fall into gaps where they earn too much for substantial need-based aid but not enough to comfortably afford typical private college costs. Student borrowing levels are moderate, with typical federal loan debt around $24,250 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $23,187, both reasonable relative to the private college sector.
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