PSC vs. South Carolina State University

Comparable Facts

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

Polk State College is larger than South Carolina State University based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 3,242 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); South Carolina State University is in Orangeburg, SC (Distant Town setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Carolina State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; South Carolina State University 19:1.

PSC vs. South Carolina State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or South Carolina State University? 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 South Carolina State University ($10,011 vs. $17,965).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Carolina State University are 26.1% lower than at Polk State College ($9,000 vs. $12,186).
• South Carolina State University is 310.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $8,366 more per year; $11,060.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.6% higher at South Carolina State University than at Polk State College (about $11,933 more per year; $21,750.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Carolina State University than at Polk State College (95% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Carolina State University students is 250.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($11,579 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. South Carolina State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PSC or South Carolina State University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Carolina State University and PSC.

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSouth Carolina State University 800/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSouth Carolina State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; South Carolina State University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: South Carolina State University Jul 31, 2027.

PSC vs. South Carolina State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and South Carolina State University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• South Carolina State University's six-year graduation rate is 35%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for PSC.
• Graduates from Polk State College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than South Carolina State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,000 vs. $31,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $23,705 lower median loan debt than South Carolina State University graduates ($9,500 vs. $33,205).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $245 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Carolina State University graduates ($98 vs. $343).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Carolina State University students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 27%)

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.