PSC vs. TSU

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than TSU based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 8,704 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

PSC vs. TSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or TSU? 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 TSU ($10,011 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 4.8% lower than at Texas Southern University ($12,186 vs. $12,800).
• Texas Southern University is 240.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $6,479 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 118.7% higher at TSU than at Polk State College (about $11,656 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at Polk State College (95% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Texas Southern University students is 197.2% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($9,823 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. TSU Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; TSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027.

PSC vs. TSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and TSU? 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 Texas Southern University earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,200 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $19,858 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $205 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($98 vs. $303).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 22%)

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.