Flagler College
Saint Augustine, Florida · Private Nonprofit · 80.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 30/100 · Poor Value
Flagler College, a private liberal arts college occupying the historic Hotel Ponce de Leon in Saint Augustine, Florida, scores 30 on overall ROI (Poor Value tier). Tuition is $29,900 -- relatively moderate for a private nonprofit -- but the average net price of $30,525 is actually slightly HIGHER than published tuition, meaning typical students pay full freight or more once non-tuition costs hit. Four years runs $122,100 before living costs. Median earnings six years out are $34,900, climbing to $49,483 by year ten -- a slow trajectory at this price point that produces an 18.1-year payback period and a 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio. Median debt of $24,250 is moderate. Completion is the school's relative strength at 56% (above the median in our database for small privates), but the 64% three-year repayment rate signals that finishing does not necessarily translate into easy loan service. Flagler's identity is liberal arts on a beautiful historic campus -- programs in art, history, hospitality, and communication tilt heavily toward soft majors that struggle on ROI metrics, while the school's Public Administration and Accounting tracks are unexpectedly strong. Major selection drives the entire ROI calculation here.
The data raises concerns about Flagler College
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score30/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
- Payback period18.1 years - Most 4-year schools we track have payback periods of 4-10 years.
Flagler College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $29,900/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $29,900/yr |
| Average net price | $30,525/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $122,100 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,483 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $34,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $24,250 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $257 |
| Estimated payback period | 18.1 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 56.0% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,391 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Flagler College is $29,900/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $30,525/year, or roughly $122,100 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $21,733/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $37,909/year.
The median graduate leaves with $24,250 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $257 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $49,483 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.69 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,733 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $23,129 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,521 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,663 |
| $110,001+ | $37,909 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $21,733 net -- still about $87,000 across four years, which is a heavy lift even with Pell and Florida Bright Futures. The four-year cost-to-earnings math (median 10-year earnings of $49,483) leaves low-income graduates carrying meaningful debt relative to their income trajectory. UCF, FIU, and FSU are materially better in-state alternatives.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $23,129 and $48,001-$75,000 pays $25,521. Across the middle range, four-year cost is roughly $93,000-$102,000. With an 18.1-year payback period, the math is hard to justify versus Florida public flagships at materially lower in-state pricing.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $75,001-$110,000 pay $29,663 and $110,001-plus pays $37,909 -- the highest-income bracket actually pays MORE than published tuition, an unusual pattern that reflects Flagler's modest endowment and aid pool. At ~$152,000 over four years for full-pay families, this becomes a hard sell unless the historic-campus experience and small-college fit are core to the family's choice.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Flagler College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $58,703 | C |
| Psychology | $47,078 | D |
| Political Science and Government | $48,913 | D |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $48,085 | D |
| Teacher Education | $49,797 | C |
| Design and Applied Arts | $46,921 | D |
| Accounting | $63,113 | B |
| Journalism | $46,971 | D |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $53,353 | D |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,458 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Public Administration
Public Administration is Flagler's surprise standout: $61,613 first-year and $70,202 four-year median earnings against just $21,485 median debt produce a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade -- the strongest on campus. 16 graduates per cohort feed federal, state, and municipal government roles where the credential opens specific career ladders. Students considering public service should prioritize this track.
Accounting
Accounting earns a B ROI grade with $49,896 first-year and $63,113 four-year median earnings against $19,537 median debt (0.39 debt-to-earnings) -- exceptional for a small liberal arts college. 25 graduates per cohort feed the regional CPA pipeline plus Florida public-accounting employers. This is one of the few clear financial wins at Flagler.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Flagler's largest program at 69 graduates. First-year earnings of $39,781 grow to $58,703 by year four, with $26,677 median debt producing a 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio and a C ROI grade. Decent middle-of-the-road outcomes for a Florida-coast small-private business degree, but materially weaker than Accounting or Public Administration.
Psychology
Psychology is Flagler's second-largest program at 61 graduates and posts a D ROI grade. First-year earnings of $28,893 climb to $47,078 by year four, but $25,075 median debt produces a 0.87 debt-to-earnings ratio. Like most psychology bachelor's programs, the real ROI requires graduate study -- without an MA or PsyD path planned, this is a difficult financial bet at Flagler's price.
Fine and Studio Arts
Fine and Studio Arts posts the worst ROI grade on campus at F. First-year earnings of just $18,694 against $26,250 median debt produce a 1.40 debt-to-earnings ratio -- graduates owe 40% more in debt than they earn in their first year. 22 graduates per cohort. Flagler's beautiful campus inspires art students, but the financial math here is brutal at this price point and students should plan grad school or strong portfolio-driven freelance pipelines.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 60.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 64.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 65.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 71.1% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 80.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 450-570 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 510-620 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-25 |
| Enrollment | 2,391 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 29.1% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $7,796 |
Flagler admits 81% of applicants and reports SAT mid-ranges of 450-570 Math and 510-620 Reading, plus ACT 19-25 -- broadly accessible academically. The 56% completion rate is reasonable given that academic preparation profile and is one of the better numbers on this profile. The selectivity-to-completion correlation is intact at Flagler: students who arrive with mid-band test scores find the workload manageable.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Peers are scattered. Barry University (Miami) is a much larger Catholic university and not really comparable. Mercyhurst University (PA) and Husson University (ME) are small regional privates with similar liberal arts profiles. Baptist University of Florida and United Talmudical Seminary are sectarian outliers with very different missions. The closest functional peers in the wider set would be other small Florida privates -- Saint Leo, Eckerd, Stetson -- where Flagler's outcomes are roughly mid-pack. The peer group illustrates the Poor Value clustering of small liberal arts privates that price near $30,000 net.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagler College (this school) | 30 | $30,525 | $49,483 |
| Barry University | 42 | $22,613 | $55,966 |
| United Talmudical Seminary | 36 | $6,640 | $25,113 |
| Mercyhurst University | 35 | $19,444 | $47,452 |
| Husson University | 34 | $21,005 | $45,025 |
| Baptist University of Florida | 31 | $10,372 | $42,836 |
Who Thrives Here
With 2,391 students and a 29% Pell rate, Flagler skews modestly higher-income for a small Florida private. The fit profile: students drawn to a small, beautiful coastal campus and willing to trade economic upside for atmosphere. Strongest tracks are unexpected -- Public Administration (B+ ROI grade) and Accounting (B grade) outperform anything else on campus. Business Administration is the largest program (69 graduates) at C grade. Students drawn to art, English, drama, journalism, history, or psychology should price-shop hard given the F and D grades clustered there.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Flagler College. With a net cost of $30,525 per year and median graduate earnings of only $49,483 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 18.1 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include weak earnings relative to cost and high debt relative to what graduates earn and concerning loan repayment rates and a long payback period.
Median debt of $24,250 against $49,483 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.