PSC vs. University of West Florida

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL with University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Florida is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (14,822 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); University of West Florida is in Pensacola, FL (Small City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of West Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; University of West Florida 22:1.

PSC vs. University of West Florida Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida ($10,011 vs. $10,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 2% lower than at University of West Florida ($12,186 vs. $12,432).
• University of West Florida is 136.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $3,666 more per year; $6,360.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 96% higher at University of West Florida than at Polk State College (about $9,424 more per year; $19,241.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Florida than at Polk State College (85% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of West Florida students is 190.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($9,595 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. University of West Florida Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida and PSC.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of West Florida 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of West Florida 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; University of West Florida - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Florida Jun 1, 2027.

PSC vs. University of West Florida Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and University of West Florida? 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 University of West Florida earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $9,250 lower median loan debt than University of West Florida graduates ($9,500 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $95 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Florida graduates ($98 vs. $193).
• More University of West Florida graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (55% 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.