PSC vs. WSSU

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than WSSU based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Winston Salem State University is in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Winston Salem State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Winston Salem State University 15:1.

PSC vs. WSSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or WSSU? 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 WSSU ($10,011 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 5.8% lower than at Polk State College ($11,484 vs. $12,186).
• Winston Salem State University is 127.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $3,432 more per year; $6,126.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.9% higher at WSSU than at Polk State College (about $6,965 more per year; $16,782.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at Polk State College (91% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Winston Salem State University students is 204.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($10,057 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. WSSU Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWinston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; WSSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027.

PSC vs. WSSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and WSSU? 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 Winston Salem State University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $16,163 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $167 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($98 vs. $265).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 33%)

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.