FAU vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL with Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Florida Atlantic University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (31,607 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Florida Atlantic University is located in Boca Raton, FL (Small City setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• Florida Atlantic University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Florida Atlantic University 24:1; Polk State College 19:1.

FAU vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU 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 FAU ($10,011 vs. $10,225).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 23.2% lower than at Florida Atlantic University ($12,186 vs. $15,860).
• Florida Atlantic University is 81.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $2,185 more per year; $4,879.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.5% higher at FAU than at Polk State College (about $7,507 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than at Polk State College (86% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 228.5% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($10,857 vs. $3,305).

FAU vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FAU 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 FAU.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 1040/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Florida Atlantic University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FAU - Required; PSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: FAU May 1, 2027.

FAU vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FAU 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 Florida Atlantic University earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,200 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $7,361 lower median loan debt than FAU graduates ($9,500 vs. $16,861).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FAU graduates ($98 vs. $174).
• More FAU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 40%)

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.