PSC vs. UMES

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL with University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Polk State College is larger than UMES based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 3,177 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); University of Maryland Eastern Shore is in Princess Anne, MD (Distant Town setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; University of Maryland Eastern Shore 11:1.

PSC vs. UMES Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or UMES? 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 UMES ($10,011 vs. $13,311).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Maryland Eastern Shore are 6.9% lower than at Polk State College ($11,351 vs. $12,186).
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore is 236.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $6,382 more per year; $9,076.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105% higher at UMES than at Polk State College (about $10,305 more per year; $20,122.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Maryland Eastern Shore than at Polk State College (98% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Maryland Eastern Shore students is 285.1% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($12,728 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. UMES Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore 840/1010.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore 16/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; UMES - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMES Jun 1, 2027.

PSC vs. UMES Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and UMES? 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 University of Maryland Eastern Shore earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,400 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $17,500 lower median loan debt than UMES graduates ($9,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $181 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UMES graduates ($98 vs. $279).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UMES students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 23%)

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.