Palm Beach Atlantic vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm 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 Palm Beach Atlantic based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Palm Beach Atlantic University is located in West Palm Beach, FL (Small City setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Palm Beach Atlantic University 13:1; Polk State College 19:1.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Palm Beach Atlantic 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 Palm Beach Atlantic ($10,011 vs. $31,231).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 11.7% lower than at Palm Beach Atlantic University ($12,186 vs. $13,800).
• Palm Beach Atlantic University is 1,408.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $37,956 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 314.1% higher at Palm Beach Atlantic than at Polk State College (about $30,833 more per year; $40,650.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Palm Beach Atlantic University than at Polk State College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Palm Beach Atlantic University students is 580.6% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($22,493 vs. $3,305).

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. PSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Palm Beach Atlantic 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 Palm Beach Atlantic.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 950/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Palm Beach Atlantic University 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Palm Beach Atlantic - Test optional; PSC - Open admission.

Palm Beach Atlantic vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Palm Beach Atlantic 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 Palm Beach Atlantic University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $13,204 lower median loan debt than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($9,500 vs. $22,704).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $136 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Palm Beach Atlantic graduates ($98 vs. $234).
• More Palm Beach Atlantic graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (56% 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.