AAMU vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Alabama A & M University in Normal, AL with Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Polk State College is larger than AAMU based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 7,295 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Alabama A & M University is located in Normal, AL (Midsize City setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• Alabama A & M University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Alabama A & M University 19:1; Polk State College 19:1.

AAMU vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AAMU or PSC? 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 Polk State College than AAMU ($10,011 vs. $17,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Alabama A & M University are 6.4% lower than at Polk State College ($11,402 vs. $12,186).
• Alabama A & M University is 272.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $7,330 more per year; $10,024.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 89.8% higher at AAMU than at Polk State College (about $8,817 more per year; $18,634.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Alabama A & M University than at Polk State College (86% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Alabama A & M University students is 288.6% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($12,844 vs. $3,305).

AAMU vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AAMU or PSC? 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 PSC and AAMU.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 810/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Alabama A & M University 14/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AAMU - Test optional; PSC - Open admission.

AAMU vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AAMU and PSC? 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 Alabama A & M University earn a median of about $300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $25,500 lower median loan debt than AAMU graduates ($9,500 vs. $35,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $263 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AAMU graduates ($98 vs. $361).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AAMU students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 25%)

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.