SCSU vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than SCSU based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 9,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Connecticut State University is located in New Haven, CT (Midsize City setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• Southern Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Connecticut State University 11:1; Polk State College 19:1.

SCSU vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCSU or PSC? 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 SCSU ($10,011 vs. $19,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 18.4% lower than at Southern Connecticut State University ($12,186 vs. $14,938).
• Southern Connecticut State University is 398.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $10,744 more per year; $13,438.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 178.9% higher at SCSU than at Polk State College (about $17,561 more per year; $27,378.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Connecticut State University than at Polk State College (78% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Connecticut State University students is 201.9% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($9,977 vs. $3,305).

SCSU vs. PSC Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCSU - Test-free; PSC - Open admission.

SCSU vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCSU and PSC? 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 Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,800 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $13,750 lower median loan debt than SCSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCSU graduates ($98 vs. $240).
• More SCSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.