At $5,808/yr net price, Saint Johns River State College graduates earn $41,728/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,728/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,808 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,232 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,728/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,728/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,821/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,198/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,425/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,107 | $14,250 |
| 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 | $29,239 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $35,701 | $12,500 |
| 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 | $9,167 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other. | Associate | $16,874 |
The Risk Factor
45.7% of students at Saint Johns River State College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Saint Johns River State College gives you a low-cost entry with modest payoff. At under $6,000 a year in net price and $12,000 in median debt, you are not taking on much risk to attend. But the median earnings ten years out land in the low $40,000s, so this is a school that keeps your costs down more than it drives your income up.
The two bachelor's programs with data tell different debt stories. Business Administration graduates earn about $36,700 but carry roughly $29,000 in debt. Teacher Education graduates earn slightly less at $35,700, but their debt sits at $12,500, less than half of what business grads owe. If you are choosing between the two on financial terms, teaching leaves you in a far better position, because you earn nearly the same for a fraction of the borrowing.
Note that both bachelor's programs pay below the school-wide median. That suggests other credentials or associate paths are lifting the overall earnings figure, so do not assume either bachelor's degree is your best financial bet here.
The biggest risk is the 45.7% graduation rate. Fewer than half of you finish, and if you borrow and leave without a degree, you carry the debt without the earnings bump. The low sticker price only pays off if you complete.
The net price tiers are unusual. If your family earns $30,000 to $48,000, you pay the least at about $4,200, while families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay the most at $6,425. Middle-income families here pay more than lower-income ones.
This school fits you if you want to keep debt low, live in the Palatka area, and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you need a degree that reliably pushes earnings well past $42,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Johns River State College worth the cost?
At $5,808 per year with typical debt of $12,000, Saint Johns River State College offers decent value for specific career programs. Nursing graduates earn around $52,000 annually, making the investment worthwhile, but other programs may not justify even this low cost.
What programs at Saint Johns River State College have the best ROI?
Registered Nursing and Allied Health programs provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning $45,000-$52,000 annually. Business and Criminal Justice programs show weaker outcomes at around $36,000-$42,000, which barely covers the investment.
How much debt do Saint Johns River State College graduates typically have?
Graduates typically leave with $12,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with a 45% graduation rate, nearly half of students may accumulate debt without completing their programs.
Do Saint Johns River State College graduates earn enough to justify the investment?
Graduates earn $41,728 on average after 10 years, which is reasonable given the low cost and debt levels. The key is choosing high-demand programs like nursing rather than lower-paying fields like business administration.