Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Santa Fe College at a Glance
Santa Fe College is a public college in Gainesville, Florida, United States. It is part of the Florida College System and offers both associate and baccalaureate degree programs. Established in 1965 by the Florida Legislature as Santa Fe Junior College, the institution began classes in September 1966. It was renamed Santa Fe Community College in 1972 and became "Santa Fe College" in 2008 to highlight its baccalaureate programs.
1965
61 years old
$35M
$35.3 million (2024)
12,729
251
Identity
Is Santa Fe College Worth It?
Santa Fe College offers moderate value at $11,098/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $41,631, which is 23% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 53% 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.
How Santa Fe College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #48 of 176 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 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #2 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | South Texas College | 100 | $1,751 | $36,788 |
| #6 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #48 | Santa Fe College | 49 | $11,098 | $41,631 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Santa Fe College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in FL.
Best Programs at Santa Fe College
The highest-earning program at Santa Fe College is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $29,500/year (4 years after graduation).
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Santa Fe College earns $29,500, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $29,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $25,856 in median debt vs. $25,856 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,098/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 | $29,500 | $29,500 | $25,856 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Gainesville, FL
- Student Body
- 11,122 students
- Graduation Rate
- 53%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,098
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $41,631
- Median Student Debt
- $11,310