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$2,830Tuition
3,909Students
46%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$41,728Earnings
Public4-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Saint Johns River State College

Saint Johns River State College serves northeast Florida as a stepping stone for students seeking affordable higher education and career training. The college enrolls 3,909 students across its campuses, with the main location in the small town of Palatka. Nearly 98% of students come from within Florida. The school has built its reputation around workforce development programs and providing a cost-effective path to transfer to four-year universities.

Students pay an average net price of $5,808 after financial aid, making this one of Florida's most affordable college options. In-state tuition runs just $2,830 per year. Graduates typically leave with only $12,000 in debt, well below national averages. Ten years after graduation, median earnings reach $41,728. The math works out to manageable monthly loan payments of $127 for most students.

Women make up nearly 65% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong programs in health sciences and education. The Vikings compete in four NCCAA sports with 67 total athletes. Students operate on a semester calendar system. With a 93.3% employment rate, graduates find work quickly in the region's growing economy. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay relatively small despite the college's community focus.

Academics & Faculty

Saint Johns River State College serves northeast Florida as a community college focused on workforce training and university transfer preparation. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors for students navigating their academic paths. Nearly 98% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's role as a local educational center. The 44.28% four-year graduation rate aligns with typical community college patterns where many students transfer before completing associate degrees. SJRSC emphasizes career-ready programs in fields like nursing, automotive technology, and business administration. The college also maintains strong articulation agreements with Florida's public universities, making it a cost-effective pathway for students planning to earn bachelor's degrees elsewhere.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
20:1
Full-Time Faculty
95.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
44.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
45.7%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,728
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate/Associate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $52,107
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $45,696
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Associate $42,682
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. Certificate $42,044
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $36,668
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Bachelor $35,701
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Associate $28,212
Health and Medical Administrative Services. Associate $26,739
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $21,850
Visual and Performing Arts, Other. Associate $16,874

View all 46 programs →

Campus Life

Saint Johns River State College sits in Palatka, about 45 minutes southwest of Jacksonville, putting students within reach of Florida's largest city. Women make up nearly 65% of the student body at this commuter-focused campus. You'll need sunscreen more than a winter coat, with Florida's warm climate keeping temperatures comfortable year-round.

The 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio means you won't get lost in massive lecture halls, though most of the 3,909 students commute from home rather than living on campus. With 97.8% of students coming from in-state, you'll find plenty of fellow Floridians navigating their first two years of college or completing workforce certifications. The Vikings compete in just four NCCAA sports with 67 total athletes, so the athletic scene stays low-key. Weekends often mean heading home to family or exploring the St. Johns River area. Students typically balance classes with part-time jobs, taking advantage of the college's strong connections to local employers in northeast Florida's growing job market.
Setting
Town-Distant
Calendar System
Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg
47°–64°F
July Avg
72°–90°F
Annual Precipitation
51.4"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Student Demographics

Saint Johns River State College draws overwhelmingly from northeast Florida, with 98% of students coming from in-state. The student body is nearly two-thirds women, reflecting the college's strong programs in nursing, education, and health sciences that traditionally attract more female students. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, indicating the college serves its mission of providing affordable education to working-class families in the region. The demographic mix mirrors the broader northeast Florida community, with students spanning traditional college age through adult learners seeking career changes or workforce credentials.
Men
35.1%
Women
64.9%
White
61.7%
Black
12.0%
Hispanic
15.2%
Asian
2.8%
In-State Students
97.9%
Pell Grant Recipients
19.2%

Location

Saint Johns River State College sits in Palatka, Florida, about 55 miles southwest of Jacksonville. The campus serves a town of roughly 10,000 residents in northeast Florida's rural interior. Palatka sits along the St. Johns River, surrounded by state forests and agricultural land rather than beaches or major metropolitan areas. Nearly 98% of the college's 3,909 students come from in-state, reflecting its role as a local institution. The setting offers small-town familiarity with outdoor recreation opportunities along Florida's longest river. The area maintains a quiet, slower pace compared to Florida's coastal cities. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare Saint Johns River State College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Palatka, Florida 32177

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,728
Median Earnings (5 years)
$47,232
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$28,800
Loan Repayment Rate
32.9%
Monthly Loan Payment
$127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Saint Johns River State College?

As a community college, Saint Johns River State College maintains open enrollment for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The school serves 3,909 students primarily from northeast Florida, with 97.86% of students coming from in-state. This accessibility makes it a popular starting point for students seeking affordable higher education.

How much does Saint Johns River State College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,808 after aid, though costs vary by income level. Lower-income families earning under $30,000 pay around $5,821, while middle-income families earning $30,000-$48,000 pay just $4,198. With in-state tuition at only $2,830, the college offers one of the most affordable pathways to higher education in Florida.

What academic programs is Saint Johns River State College known for?

The college focuses heavily on workforce training programs and transfer pathways to four-year universities. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention in career-focused programs. The school operates on a semester system and emphasizes practical skills training for northeast Florida's job market.

What are the graduation rates at Saint Johns River State College?

Saint Johns River State College has a 4-year graduation rate of 44.28% and a 6-year rate of 45.70%. Graduates earn a median salary of $41,728 ten years after enrollment, with an impressive 93.3% employment rate. The low median debt of $12,000 means graduates enter the workforce with minimal financial burden.

Where is Saint Johns River State College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Palatka, a small town in northeast Florida that offers a close-knit community atmosphere. With 64.88% women and 35.12% men, the student body reflects the college's strong programs in traditionally female-dominated fields. The Vikings compete in four varsity sports through the NCCAA with 67 total athletes.

How accessible is financial aid at Saint Johns River State College?

Only 19.16% of students receive financial aid, which is unusually low for a community college. This reflects the school's extremely affordable base tuition rather than lack of need. Students who do borrow have manageable monthly loan payments of just $127, and the federal loan rate is only 5.84%.