PSC vs. Northeastern Illinois University

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than Northeastern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 5,734 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Northeastern Illinois University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Northeastern Illinois University 9:1.

PSC vs. Northeastern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Northeastern Illinois 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 Northeastern Illinois University ($10,011 vs. $14,140).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern Illinois University are 14.7% lower than at Polk State College ($10,390 vs. $12,186).
• Northeastern Illinois University is 359.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $9,689 more per year; $12,383.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 131.5% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than at Polk State College (about $12,909 more per year; $22,726.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern Illinois University than at Polk State College (87% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 289.6% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($12,876 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. Northeastern Illinois University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Northeastern Illinois University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northeastern Illinois University and PSC.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNortheastern Illinois University 810/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresNortheastern Illinois University 15/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; Northeastern Illinois University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northeastern Illinois University Jul 15, 2027.

PSC vs. Northeastern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Northeastern Illinois University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Northeastern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate is 23%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for PSC.
• Graduates from Northeastern Illinois University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Northeastern Illinois University graduates ($9,500 vs. $14,500).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern Illinois University graduates ($98 vs. $149).
• More Northeastern Illinois University 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.