Santa Fe College provides exceptional value through its commitment to affordability, with net prices that rank among the lowest nationally across all income brackets.
The college serves as an accessible entry point for first-generation students and those seeking cost-effective pathways to higher education or career training.
Santa Fe College serves as an accessible gateway to higher education in north-central Florida, combining strong affordability with broad access for diverse student populations. Nearly 42% of students are first-generation college attendees, and about 28% receive Pell Grants, reflecting the institution's role in serving students who might not otherwise pursue postsecondary education. The college maintains a completion rate of 52% within six years, providing a foundation for students to either enter the workforce directly or transfer to four-year institutions.
What distinguishes Santa Fe College is its commitment to keeping education affordable across all income levels. Low-income students pay about $10,251 annually, middle-income families see costs around $11,927, and even higher-income students face net prices of only $13,579 per year. This pricing structure places the college in the top 20% nationally for affordability, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious families.
As a large public college in Gainesville, Santa Fe College offers the scale and resources of a substantial institution while maintaining the accessibility and support systems that help first-generation and transfer students succeed. The college's focus on practical, career-oriented programs in fields like business administration and clinical research provides students with direct pathways into the workforce, though earnings outcomes vary significantly by program choice and whether students continue their education beyond the associate degree level.
Santa Fe College's program portfolio focuses on practical, career-oriented fields that provide direct pathways into the regional workforce. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program and the highest aggregate return option, graduating 76 students annually with median earnings of $31,581 ten years out. This program combines substantial enrollment with reasonable earnings outcomes for associate degree holders, making it a cornerstone of the college's academic offerings.
Clinical Research Coordinator programs represent another key strength, graduating 46 students with higher median earnings of $39,009. This healthcare-focused program demonstrates the college's ability to prepare students for specialized roles in the growing medical research field, offering earnings potential that exceeds many other associate degree programs. The combination of healthcare demand and specialized training makes this program particularly valuable for students seeking direct workforce entry.
The college's program mix reflects its community college mission, emphasizing fields that serve regional employer needs while providing accessible career training. Both business and healthcare programs offer practical skills that translate directly into employment opportunities, though students should recognize that earnings potential may be enhanced through additional education or professional development beyond the associate degree level. The college's role as a transfer pathway means that many students use these programs as foundations for further study at four-year institutions.
Graduates of Santa Fe College see modest but varied earnings outcomes that reflect the institution's role as both a workforce entry point and transfer pathway. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $41,631, which places the college in the lower portion of national earnings distributions. However, this figure encompasses students who complete associate degrees and enter the workforce directly, as well as those who transfer to four-year institutions and may see different long-term trajectories.
Program selection significantly influences earnings potential at Santa Fe College. Business Administration and Management, the college's largest program with 76 graduates, leads to median earnings of $31,581 ten years out, while Clinical Research Coordinator programs, with 46 graduates, achieve higher outcomes at $39,009. These programs represent the college's strongest areas for aggregate return, combining reasonable enrollment numbers with competitive earnings for associate-degree holders in their respective fields.
The college's earnings outcomes reflect its mission as a community college serving diverse student goals. Some graduates use their Santa Fe education as a stepping stone to bachelor's degrees elsewhere, while others enter careers directly after completing associate programs. For students planning to transfer, the college provides an affordable foundation that can lead to stronger long-term outcomes when combined with additional education. For those entering the workforce immediately, careful program selection in fields like healthcare and business can provide reasonable earning potential relative to the modest educational investment required.
Santa Fe College stands out for its exceptional affordability across all income levels, making higher education accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay approximately $10,251 per year, well below national averages for public institutions, while middle-income families face annual costs of $11,927. Even higher-income students see net prices of only $13,579, demonstrating the college's commitment to keeping education affordable regardless of family financial circumstances.
The college's debt structure reflects this affordability focus, with typical graduates carrying about $11,310 in federal student loan debt and families using Parent PLUS loans borrowing around $11,405. These modest debt levels align well with the college's role as a cost-effective entry point into higher education. The combination of low net prices and reasonable debt loads means that most students can complete their programs without taking on the heavy financial burdens often associated with four-year institutions.
What makes Santa Fe College particularly sustainable financially is how the low upfront costs and modest debt levels create manageable repayment scenarios for most graduates. Even with the college's moderate earnings outcomes, the debt-to-income ratios remain reasonable for students who complete their programs and enter the workforce. This financial structure makes the college especially valuable for students who view it as an affordable pathway to either immediate employment or transfer to complete bachelor's degrees elsewhere.
Santa Fe College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
