PSC vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

PSC vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than PSC ($9,124 vs. $10,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 4.9% lower than at Polk State College ($11,591 vs. $12,186).
• Norfolk State University is 277.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $7,486 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 120.9% higher at NSU than at Polk State College (about $11,865 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Norfolk State University than at Polk State College (75% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 355.6% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($15,056 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027.

PSC vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $21,500 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $222 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($98 vs. $320).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 27%)

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.