PSC vs. Columbus State

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than Columbus State based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 7,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Columbus State University is in Columbus, GA (Midsize City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbus State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Columbus State University 16:1.

PSC vs. Columbus State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Columbus State? 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 Columbus State ($10,011 vs. $12,420).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbus State University are 3.8% lower than at Polk State College ($11,720 vs. $12,186).
• Columbus State University is 118.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $3,204 more per year; $5,898.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.4% higher at Columbus State than at Polk State College (about $7,793 more per year; $17,610.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbus State University than at Polk State College (89% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbus State University students is 172.4% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($9,003 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. Columbus State Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbus State University 800/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsColumbus State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; Columbus State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbus State Jun 30, 2027.

PSC vs. Columbus State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Columbus State? 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 Columbus State University earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $16,500 lower median loan debt than Columbus State graduates ($9,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $170 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbus State graduates ($98 vs. $268).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbus State students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 37%)

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.