PSC vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

PSC vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University ($10,011 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 23.2% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($12,186 vs. $15,864).
• Metropolitan State University is 265.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $7,146 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Metropolitan State University than at Polk State College (about $23 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at Polk State College (82% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Metropolitan State University students is 158.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($8,538 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.

PSC vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Metropolitan State University? 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 Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $8,492 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($9,500 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($98 vs. $186).
• More Metropolitan State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.