Bethune-Cookman vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL 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 Bethune-Cookman based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 2,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bethune Cookman University is located in Daytona Beach, FL (Small City setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• Bethune Cookman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bethune Cookman University 17:1; Polk State College 19:1.

Bethune-Cookman vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune-Cookman ($10,011 vs. $12,476).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bethune Cookman University are 14.7% lower than at Polk State College ($10,396 vs. $12,186).
• Bethune Cookman University is 449.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $12,100 more per year; $14,794.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.7% higher at Bethune-Cookman than at Polk State College (about $4,977 more per year; $14,794.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bethune Cookman University than at Polk State College (98% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bethune Cookman University students is 419.8% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($17,181 vs. $3,305).

Bethune-Cookman vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bethune-Cookman 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 Bethune-Cookman.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bethune Cookman University 830/990.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bethune-Cookman - Test optional; PSC - Open admission.

Bethune-Cookman vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bethune-Cookman 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 Polk State College earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Bethune-Cookman graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,000 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $26,485 lower median loan debt than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($9,500 vs. $35,985).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $274 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bethune-Cookman graduates ($98 vs. $372).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Bethune-Cookman students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 20%)

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.