Saint Johns River State College
Saint Johns River State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Saint Johns River State College at a Glance
St. Johns River State College is a public college in Northeast Florida, United States, with campuses in Palatka, St. Augustine, and Orange Park. Founded in 1958 as St. Johns River Junior College, a historically black college, it is part of the Florida College System. It is one of several colleges in the system designated in 2001 as a "state college", meaning they can offer more bachelor degrees and academic programs than traditional community colleges.
1958
68 years old
10,514
109
93 acres
Identity
Is Saint Johns River State College Worth It?
Saint Johns River State College is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $6,135/year net price and $41,728 median earnings, graduates earn 6.8× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: Saint Johns River State College delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Saint Johns River State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #16 of 219 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #16 | Saint Johns River State College | 80 | $6,135 | $41,728 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Saint Johns River State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 7 in FL.
Best Programs at Saint Johns River State College
The highest-earning program at Saint Johns River State College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $36,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at $32,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Saint Johns River State College earns $36,600, while a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods graduate earns $32,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $27,343 in median debt vs. $19,236 for Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,135/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,600 | $36,600 | $27,343 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $32,300 | $32,300 | $19,236 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Palatka, FL
- Student Body
- 4,403 students
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,135
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,728
- Median Student Debt
- $12,000