Students at Toccoa Falls College benefit from a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations even with modest earnings.
The college provides meaningful access to first-generation students seeking a faith-based educational environment.
Toccoa Falls College is a small private Christian institution in Georgia that serves students seeking a close-knit, faith-centered educational experience. While the college ranks in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes, with graduates earning a median of $36,630 ten years after enrollment, it offers something distinct: an intimate learning environment where nearly 30% of students are first-generation college attendees and about 20% receive Pell Grants.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Toccoa Falls provides access to students who might not otherwise attend college, though financial outcomes remain modest compared to larger universities. The college's small size means limited program diversity, but it creates strong personal relationships between faculty and students that can be valuable for certain career paths.
For families prioritizing faith-based education and personal development over maximum financial returns, Toccoa Falls offers a supportive environment. However, prospective students should carefully consider whether the college's career outcomes align with their long-term financial goals, especially given the debt levels typical graduates carry.
Detailed program-level data is not available for Toccoa Falls College, which is common among smaller institutions with limited program diversity. As a faith-based liberal arts college, the institution likely focuses on fields such as ministry, education, counseling, and liberal arts disciplines that align with its Christian mission. These programs typically prepare students for service-oriented careers where financial rewards are modest but personal and spiritual fulfillment may be prioritized.
The absence of detailed program earnings data makes it difficult for prospective students to identify which majors might offer stronger financial prospects. This uncertainty, combined with the college's overall modest earnings outcomes, suggests that students should carefully research specific programs and career placement rates before enrolling. The small size of the institution means limited alumni networks and career services compared to larger universities, which can impact job placement and salary negotiation support.
For students drawn to Toccoa Falls' mission and community, the focus should be on programs that align with personal calling rather than maximum earning potential. However, realistic financial planning remains essential given the debt levels typical graduates carry and the modest earnings they can expect in their chosen fields.
Graduates of Toccoa Falls College face modest long-term earnings compared to national averages. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $36,630, placing the institution in the bottom 13th percentile nationally for graduate earnings. This reflects both the college's small size and limited program offerings, as well as the career paths typically pursued by graduates of faith-based liberal arts institutions.
The college's earnings outcomes fall short of what similar students achieve at other institutions, with graduates earning about $24,000 less than would be expected based on their backgrounds and characteristics. Only 25 students in recent cohorts earn more than $75,000 annually, highlighting the concentration of graduates in lower-paying fields. Without detailed program data available, it's difficult to identify specific majors that might offer stronger financial prospects, though this is common among small liberal arts colleges where career services and alumni networks may be more limited than at larger institutions.
For students considering Toccoa Falls, it's important to weigh the college's mission and community against these financial realities. While the intimate educational experience has value, graduates typically enter careers where starting salaries and long-term earning potential remain below national medians for college graduates.
Toccoa Falls College presents a mixed affordability picture for different income groups. Low-income students pay about $18,552 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $20,025 per year. High-income families pay approximately $22,603, reflecting the college's relatively modest sticker price compared to many private institutions. These net prices place the college around the 37th percentile nationally for affordability.
Debt levels require careful consideration given the modest earnings outcomes. Typical graduates leave with $22,250 in federal student loan debt, and many families also take on Parent PLUS loans averaging $14,703. While these amounts might seem manageable in isolation, they become more challenging when considered alongside the college's below-average graduate earnings. The federal loan default rate is 0%, which suggests most borrowers are able to avoid default, though this may reflect the use of income-driven repayment plans rather than comfortable repayment capacity.
Families considering Toccoa Falls should carefully evaluate whether the total cost aligns with realistic post-graduation earning potential. The combination of moderate debt levels and modest earnings creates a financial equation that requires thoughtful planning and realistic expectations about career trajectories.
Toccoa Falls College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
