Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Saint Johns River State College

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL with Saint Johns River State College in Palatka, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Johns River State College is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (7,927 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach Atlantic University is located in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting); Saint Johns River State College is in Palatka, FL (Distant Town setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Johns River State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Saint Johns River State College 19:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Saint Johns River State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic or Saint Johns River State College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Saint Johns River State College than Palm Beach Atlantic ($6,712 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Johns River State College are 8.7% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($12,604 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1,468.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Saint Johns River State College (about $38,059 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $2,591.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 335.5% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Saint Johns River State College (about $31,315 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $9,335.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Saint Johns River State College (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 204.6% larger than aid received by Saint Johns River State College students ($22,493 vs. $7,384).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Saint Johns River State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic or Saint Johns River State College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Saint Johns River State College and Palm Beach Atlantic.

• Saint Johns River State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; Saint Johns River State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Saint Johns River State College Oct 10, 2026.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Saint Johns River State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic and Saint Johns River State College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than Saint Johns River State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $32,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have a $11,053 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($11,651 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, Saint Johns River State College graduates have an estimated $114 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($120 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Johns River State College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 32%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.