PSC vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

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

University of South Florida is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (49,622 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 South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

PSC vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus ($10,011 vs. $11,579).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 15.6% lower than at University of South Florida ($12,186 vs. $14,440).
• University of South Florida is 137.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $3,716 more per year; $6,410.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.5% higher at USF Main Campus than at Polk State College (about $7,507 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at Polk State College (83% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of South Florida students is 222.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($10,652 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus and PSC.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.

PSC vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and USF Main Campus? 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 South Florida earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,500 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $9,647 lower median loan debt than USF Main Campus graduates ($9,500 vs. $19,147).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $99 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF Main Campus graduates ($98 vs. $197).
• More USF Main Campus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.