St. Johns County puts a historic private college, a fast-growing public university, a state college with bachelor's degrees, and a health sciences graduate school within commuting distance. Whether you're planning visits with a college-bound grandchild or going back to school yourself, you have real options close to home.

Flagler College: Small School, Landmark Campus

Flagler College sits inside a restored 1888 Gilded Age hotel in St. Augustine. It enrolls about 2,409 undergraduate students, so classes stay small.

Key numbers:

  • Acceptance rate: 78.1% in 2023, with 5,509 applicants and 4,302 admitted
  • Published cost: an estimated $55,478 total cost of attendance for 2025 to 2026
  • Real cost after aid: an average net price of $31,085
  • Testing: Flagler is test-optional

UNF: The Region's Growth Story

UNF is the big mover in Northeast Florida higher education. Total enrollment reached approximately 18,900 students this fall, the largest in university history, up from approximately 17,600 in fall 2025. 

Why it matters:

  • Ranked: UNF has appeared in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Colleges" national rankings for seven consecutive years
  • Hands-on learning: Starting with the fall 2025 class, every undergraduate is guaranteed at least one real-world experience, such as an internship, research, or study abroad
  • Popular majors: pre-health, biomedical sciences, business management, psychology, and biology

For career changers: UNF's MBA is now its largest graduate program, with enrollment up 37% this fall as working professionals seek flexible, affordable graduate education.

St. Johns River State College: The Smart Money Option

SJR State's listed in-state tuition is $2,830, a fraction of private school pricing. The St. Augustine campus sits just off State Road 16 and houses the Criminal Justice Academy plus respiratory care and radiologic technology programs.

It's built for adults starting over. The college serves students ranging in age from 16 to 60 and beyond. Recent bachelor's additions include Biological Sciences, Exceptional Student Education K-12, Social and Human Services, Criminal Justice Applied Intelligence Studies, and Information Systems Technology. Students can complete an Associate in Arts and select associate and bachelor's degrees fully online. 

Planning for a Grandchild

Three things to know:

  1. Range of price points. A private college, a public university, and a state college all operate in the area.
  2. Start local, transfer up. SJR State keeps its focus on the Associate in Arts transfer degree, a common path into a four-year university.
  3. Strong academic profile at UNF. The incoming class averaged a 3.96 high school GPA and a 1131 SAT.

Going Back to School Yourself

Career changers have more on-ramps here than most people expect: online state college degrees, a growing MBA program, health science graduate training, and technical certificates. Florida also has a long-standing program that lets residents 60 and older attend certain state university classes tuition-free on a space-available basis, typically without credit. Confirm current eligibility with each school's registrar (needs verification).

The Bottom Line

St. Johns County doesn't just offer great K-12 schools — it sits within genuine reach of a strong, varied higher education landscape. Flagler College delivers a historic, right-in-the-county private option. UNF offers exceptional value as a public university just across the county line. And St. Johns River State College provides the most accessible, local pathway for career changers and adult learners who want to continue their education without a long commute or a steep price tag.

Thinking About Proximity to Specific Schools?

Whether you're weighing proximity to Flagler for a grandchild or want easy access to St. Johns River State College for your own next chapter, I can help you find a community that fits.

Call or text Gail DeMarco: 904-640-8000
St. Johns County Relocation Specialist
Serving Nocatee, St. Augustine, RiverTown, Ponte Vedra Beach, and all of St. Johns County, FL

Tuition and enrollment figures reflect 2026–27 published rates from US News, College Board, and institutional sources current as of publication. Costs and admissions data change annually — always verify current figures directly with each institution.