Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Santa Fe College

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL with Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Fe College is larger than Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (12,758 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); Santa Fe College is in Gainesville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Fe College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Santa Fe College 18:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Santa Fe College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic or Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe College than Palm Beach Atlantic ($11,903 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Fe College are 24.9% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($10,367 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1,486% more expensive for in-state tuition than Santa Fe College (about $38,087 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $2,563.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 342.4% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Santa Fe College (about $31,461 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $9,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Santa Fe College (100% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 764.5% larger than aid received by Santa Fe College students ($22,493 vs. $2,602).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Santa Fe College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic or Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe College and Palm Beach Atlantic.

• Santa Fe 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; Santa Fe College - Open admission.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. Santa Fe College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic and Santa Fe 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 $8,800 more per year than Santa Fe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have a $11,679 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($11,025 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, Santa Fe College graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($113 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Santa Fe College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 34%)

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.