PSC vs. St. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than St. Thomas University based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 7,652 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); St. Thomas University is in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; St. Thomas University 17:1.

PSC vs. St. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University ($10,011 vs. $27,844).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 7.8% lower than at St. Thomas University ($12,186 vs. $13,210).
• St. Thomas University is 1,190.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $32,076 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 254.2% higher at St. Thomas University than at Polk State College (about $24,953 more per year; $34,770.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Thomas University than at Polk State College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. Thomas University students is 606.7% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($23,356 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. St. Thomas University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University and PSC.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 860/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; St. Thomas University - Test-free.

PSC vs. St. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,400 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $13,253 lower median loan debt than St. Thomas University graduates ($9,500 vs. $22,753).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $137 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Thomas University graduates ($98 vs. $235).
• More St. Thomas University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.