Polk State College
Polk State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Polk State College at a Glance
Polk State College (PSC) is a public college based in Winter Haven, Florida, United States. It is part of the Florida College System and was established in 1964. PSC operates its main campuses in Winter Haven and Lakeland, with additional education centers in Bartow and Lake Wales. The college offers both associate and bachelor's degrees.
1964
62 years old
$34M
$34.1 million (2024)
8,180
150
Identity
Is Polk State College Worth It?
At a value score of 37/100, Polk State College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $40,624 — 24% below average — while paying $9,427/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Polk State College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Polk State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in FL
Ranked #108 of 195 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #2 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #3 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #4 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #5 | Pensacola State College | 91 | $3,957 | $36,739 |
| #6 | Gulf Coast State College | 90 | $4,709 | $38,359 |
| #108 | Polk State College | 37 | $9,427 | $40,624 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Polk State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 15 in FL.
Best Programs at Polk State College
The highest-earning program at Polk State College is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $67,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $34,900/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Polk State College earns $67,600, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $34,900. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $15,000 in median debt vs. $19,187 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,427/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $67,600 | $67,600 | $15,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,900 | $34,900 | $19,187 |
Similar Colleges in FL
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Winter Haven, FL
- Student Body
- 7,180 students
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,427
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $40,624
- Median Student Debt
- $10,076