PSC vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

PSC vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University ($10,011 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 8.5% lower than at Polk State College ($11,150 vs. $12,186).
• Tennessee State University is 219.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $5,922 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128.3% higher at Tennessee State University than at Polk State College (about $12,599 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Polk State College than at Tennessee State University (72% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tennessee State University students is 192.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($9,661 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; Tennessee State University - Open admission.

PSC vs. Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,400 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($9,500 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $191 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($98 vs. $289).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 29%)

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.