Santa Fe College vs. Life University

Comparable Facts

Compare Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL with Life University in Marietta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Fe College is larger than Life University based on total student enrollment (12,758 students vs. 2,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Santa Fe College is located in Gainesville, FL (Midsize Suburban setting); Life University is in Marietta, GA (Small City setting).
• Santa Fe College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Santa Fe College 18:1; Life University 15:1.

Santa Fe College vs. Life University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Santa Fe College or Life University? 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 Life University ($11,903 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Fe College are 30.2% lower than at Life University ($10,367 vs. $14,850).
• Life University is 486.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Santa Fe College (about $12,473 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $2,563.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.6% higher at Life University than at Santa Fe College (about $5,847 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $9,189.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life University than at Santa Fe College (89% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life University students is 334% larger than aid received by Santa Fe College students ($11,292 vs. $2,602).

Santa Fe College vs. Life University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Santa Fe College or Life University? 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 Life University and Santa Fe College.

• Santa Fe College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLife University 920/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLife University 17/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Santa Fe College - Open admission; Life University - Test optional.

Santa Fe College vs. Life University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Santa Fe College and Life University? 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 Life University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Santa Fe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $37,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $2,691 lower median loan debt than Santa Fe College graduates ($8,334 vs. $11,025).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Santa Fe College graduates ($86 vs. $113).
• More Santa Fe College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 33%)

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.