
Toccoa Falls, GAprivate nonprofittfc.edu
Admit rate has ranged 58%–68% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Toccoa Falls College is a small, evangelical Christian liberal arts college in rural Georgia where spiritual formation is as central as academic rigor. Known for its tight-knit community and scenic 1,100-acre campus anchored by a 186-foot waterfall, TFC integrates biblical studies across all majors—from counseling psychology to business—while maintaining a modest 18:1 student-faculty ratio. With a 66% acceptance rate and an average net price of $19,381 after aid, it attracts students seeking a faith-based education with practical outcomes, though its 44-53% graduation rate lags behind national averages.
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
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Outcomes & value
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus & location
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Toccoa Falls College is somewhat selective, with a 66% acceptance rate (742 admitted from 1,125 applicants in 2024). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1045–1235 on the SAT, though the school is test-optional and also accepts ACT or CLT scores. Unlike many colleges, TFC does not use the Common Application, requiring applicants to apply directly through its portal. The admissions process emphasizes Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone., including academic records and personal faith alignment, with no early decision option.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
TFC offers 36 majors with a strong emphasis on biblical integration, requiring all students to complete coursework in Christian theology. The most popular programs include Counseling Psychology, Business Administration, and Biblical Studies, alongside interdisciplinary options like General Studies. The Princeton Review notes students choose TFC for its "extensive required curriculum in the Bible" and small class sizes (18:1 student-faculty ratio). Graduation rates hover around 44–53%, below the national average for four-year colleges.
Life at TFC revolves around faith and community, with 55% of students living on campus in residence halls designed to "foster spiritual growth." The rural 1,100-acre campus features a 186-foot waterfall (a central landmark) and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Student activities lean heavily toward ministry and service, with clubs like intramural sports and worship teams dominating the social scene. The college enforces a lifestyle covenant aligning with evangelical values, including restrictions on alcohol and mandatory chapel attendance.
TFC graduates report modest earnings, with a median salary of $36,630 10 years post-graduation (well below the national average for bachelor’s holders). The 6-year graduation rate is 51%, and only 46% finish in 4 years—a challenge the college acknowledges in its student achievement goals. Alumni often enter ministry, counseling, or nonprofit work, where salaries tend to be lower. The College Scorecard reports 49% of students earn more than a high school graduate by age 34.
Tuition and fees total $24,950, but 80% of students receive financial aid, bringing the average net price to $19,381. Academic scholarships range from $3,000 to $12,000/year, awarded based on GPA (no Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. thresholds are published). The college offers a Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator but lacks transparency about average student debt. Notably, TFC’s average aid package ($18,080) covers most of the sticker price for recipients.
Toccoa Falls College carves a niche as one of the few evangelical colleges with a waterfall on campus—a literal and metaphorical centerpiece. Its mandatory biblical curriculum appeals to students seeking faith integration in every major, while the rural setting fosters intense community bonding. However, its low graduation rates and below-average earnings outcomes may give pragmatic families pause. Ideal for those prioritizing spiritual growth over prestige or earning potential, TFC offers a low-pressure admissions process and strong financial aid for committed evangelical students.