Jacksonville, FLprivate nonprofitwww.tcj.edu/
Admit rate has ranged 43%–69% 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.
Trinity College of Jacksonville is a small, Christian liberal arts college in Florida's largest city, defined by its 'learn and serve' academic model and a tight-knit, faith-focused campus culture. With a student body under 100 first-years and a curriculum anchored in Biblical Studies and associate degrees, it offers a highly personal, religiously-grounded alternative to the sprawling state universities nearby. Its outcomes reflect the challenges of a non-selective, low-resource institution, but for students seeking a specific blend of practical training and spiritual formation, it provides a distinct, car-dependent enclave in Jacksonville.
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.
More details
Outcomes & value
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.
Trinity College of Jacksonville operates as a less-selective institution, where the majority of applicants are admitted. The process appears straightforward, with published sources indicating ranging from 53% to 62.5%. The middle 50% SAT range for admitted students is reported between 778 and 1006, placing the academic profile of the incoming class below the national average. Unlike many competitive liberal arts colleges, there is no mention of an Early Decision binding program in the provided sources for this specific institution; the Early Decision references pertain to a different Trinity College. The is noted as a source for standardized statistics, but the specific policy on 'demonstrated interest' is not detailed in the available snippets for TCJ.
Academics are intimate and vocationally oriented, built on a 'learn and serve' model. The college offers a limited suite of programs, primarily two-year associate degrees in fields like Interdisciplinary Studies, Biblical Studies, Criminal Justice, Math and Science, and Pre-Engineering. Four-year liberal arts and professional studies degrees are also mentioned. The student-to-faculty ratio is a notably low 12:1, promising close interaction. Biblical Studies is the clear academic centerpiece, ranking as the most popular major. The graduation rate is low, reported at 20% in one source and 31% in another, signaling significant academic attrition or transfer. This is not a research university; it's a place for focused, practical, and faith-integrated study.
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.
Campus life is compact and intensely community-focused, with an explicit Christian identity shaping the environment. The college describes its setting as a 'fun, safe, Christ-focused environment.' While specific clubs or traditions aren't detailed in the sources, the emphasis is on spiritual formation and ministry preparation within a small cohort. Jacksonville provides the backdrop, but the campus itself is described as 'car-dependent' with a 'Minimal Transit' score, meaning students need vehicles to engage with the wider city. The vibe is less about a bustling collegiate calendar of festivals and concerts (as described at other Trinity institutions) and more about a close-knit, purpose-driven residential experience centered on shared faith.
Post-graduate outcomes are modest and reflect the institution's profile and resources. The median earnings ten years after entry are $37,275. The graduation rate is 34%, which is significantly below the national midpoint for four-year colleges. There is no data provided on graduate school placement rates or specific employer networks. The available figures suggest that many students do not complete a degree here, and those who do enter the workforce with early-career earnings below the national average for bachelor's degree holders. This paints a picture of an institution serving a population where degree completion and immediate economic ROI are persistent challenges.
The average after aid is $20,011. Affordability is a key message from the institution, which states that 'college affordability shouldn't hold you back.' More than 96% of students receive some form of financial aid. The aid package includes federal loans (both subsidized and unsubsidized) and institutional scholarships. Merit-based institutional scholarships are detailed, such as a $16,000 scholarship ($4,000 per year) for students with a 3.5+ GPA. There is no indication in the provided sources that Trinity College of Jacksonville meets full demonstrated financial need or has a 'no-loan' policy for low-income students; aid appears to be a mix of grants, scholarships, and expected loans.
Trinity College of Jacksonville stands out for its unambiguous identity as a small, Christian, service-oriented college in a major metropolitan area. It doesn't try to be everything to everyone. Its singular focus is on integrating faith with learning through its 'learn and serve' model, particularly in its signature Biblical Studies program. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures a level of personal attention rare even at other small colleges. While its graduation rates and earnings outcomes are low, it serves a specific niche: students seeking a tightly-knit, spiritually-grounded associate or bachelor's degree path who may not be served by larger, more secular institutions. It's a place where the campus community, not the city's amenities, is the main event.