FAU vs. PSC

Should I go to Florida Atlantic University or Polk State College? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if FAU or PSC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Florida Atlantic University vs. Polk State College comparison
Florida Atlantic University Polk State College College 3 College 4
Florida Atlantic University
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Overview

 FAU PSC
Location Boca Raton, FL Winter Haven, FL
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 30,790 7,963
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #678
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website fau.edu polk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 FAU PSC
Tuition (In State) $2,522 $2,483
Tuition (Out of State) $14,374 $9,933
Room & Board $12,536 $8,339
Avg Net Price $9,839 $9,832
Avg Grant Aid $10,786 $5,253
% Receiving Grant Aid 86% 82%

Admission

 FAU PSC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 27,612 -
Admitted 20,279 -
Acceptance Rate 73.4% Open
Enrolled % 21.8% Open
Avg High School GPA 3.74 -
Typical High School Grades A- -
Admissions Standards Moderate Unavailable
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 20/26
SAT Range 1040/1210
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission
Application Deadline May 1, 2026

Academics

 FAU PSC
Student to Faculty Ratio 23:1 20:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (52%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (10%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Work and Family Studies (3%)

Outcomes

 FAU PSC
Graduation Rate 43% -
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,200 $34,000
Making Student Loan Payments 54% 40%
Median Student Loan Debt $16,861 $9,500
Median Loan Payment $174 $98

Diversity

 FAU PSC
% Men 9% 9%
% Women 12% 16%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 43% 53%
% Black 20% 17%
% Hispanic 26% 20%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 4% 2%
% International 2% 1%
% Unknown Race 1% 4%

Students

 FAU PSC
% In-State 72% 99%
% Out-of-State 22% 0%

Campus

 FAU PSC
Campus Housing Yes No
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes No
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Florida Atlantic University is larger than than PSC based on total student enrollment (30,790 students vs. 7,963 students)

FAU vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FAU or PSC?

  • Florida Atlantic University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than PSC for in-state tuition ($2,522.00 vs. $2,483.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 44.7% higher at FAU than Polk State College ($14,374.00 vs. $9,933.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Polk State College than FAU ($9,832 vs. $9,839)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 50.3% lower than costs at Florida Atlantic University ($8,339 vs. $12,536)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Florida Atlantic University than Polk State College (86% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Florida Atlantic University students is 105.3% larger than aid received Polk State College ($10,786 vs. $5,253)

Which college is harder to get into, FAU or PSC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between PSC or FAU .

FAU vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, FAU or PSC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between PSC and FAU.

  • Graduates from Florida Atlantic University earn on average $12,200 more per year than PSC graduates after ten years. ($46,200 vs. $34,000)
  • Polk State College students graduate with a $7,361 lower median federal student loan debt than FAU graduates. ($9,500 vs. $16,861)
  • PSC graduates are paying $76 less per month on federal student loans 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/