PSC vs. Polytechnic University

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL with Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando in Orlando, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Polk State College is larger than Polytechnic University based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 127 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando is in Orlando, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando 5:1.

PSC vs. Polytechnic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Polytechnic 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 Polytechnic University ($10,011 vs. $16,577).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 4.7% lower than at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando ($12,186 vs. $12,781).
• Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando is 440% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $11,853 more per year; $14,547.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.2% higher at Polytechnic University than at Polk State College (about $4,730 more per year; $14,547.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando than at Polk State College (75% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Orlando students is 94.7% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($6,434 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. Polytechnic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or Polytechnic 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 Polytechnic University 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; Polytechnic University - Open admission.

PSC vs. Polytechnic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Polytechnic 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 Polk State College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Polytechnic University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,000 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Polytechnic University graduates ($9,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Polytechnic University graduates ($98 vs. $201).
• More Polytechnic University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.