PSC vs. VSU

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than VSU based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 10,262 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Valdosta State University is in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Valdosta State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Valdosta State University 17:1.

PSC vs. VSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or VSU? 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 VSU ($10,011 vs. $11,144).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 21.8% lower than at Polk State College ($9,530 vs. $12,186).
• Valdosta State University is 127.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $3,430 more per year; $6,124.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.7% higher at VSU than at Polk State College (about $8,019 more per year; $17,836.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valdosta State University than at Polk State College (93% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 208.8% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($10,206 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. VSU Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValdosta State University 920/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsValdosta State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; VSU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU Jun 15, 2027.

PSC vs. VSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and VSU? 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 Valdosta State University earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,300 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $15,500 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $160 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($98 vs. $258).
• More VSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (41% 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.