PSC vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

Idaho State University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

PSC vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or ISU? 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 ISU ($10,011 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 35.3% lower than at Polk State College ($7,882 vs. $12,186).
• Idaho State University is 219.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $5,916 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 182.4% higher at ISU than at Polk State College (about $17,903 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at Polk State College (91% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Idaho State University students is 178.9% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($9,217 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; ISU - Open admission.

PSC vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and ISU? 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 Idaho State University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,300 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $13,450 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($9,500 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $139 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($98 vs. $237).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.