PSC vs. WVSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL with West Virginia State University in Institute, WV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Polk State College is larger than WVSU based on total student enrollment (10,318 students vs. 3,246 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); West Virginia State University is in Institute, WV (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Virginia State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; West Virginia State University 13:1.

PSC vs. WVSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or WVSU? 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 WVSU ($10,011 vs. $11,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 9.9% lower than at West Virginia State University ($12,186 vs. $13,522).
• West Virginia State University is 255.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $6,876 more per year; $9,570.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.7% higher at WVSU than at Polk State College (about $5,173 more per year; $14,990.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia State University than at Polk State College (88% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia State University students is 172.1% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($8,993 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. WVSU Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 760/1040.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; WVSU - Test optional.

PSC vs. WVSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and WVSU? 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 Polk State College earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than WVSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,000 vs. $32,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $13,750 lower median loan debt than WVSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $142 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVSU graduates ($98 vs. $240).
• More PSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WVSU students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 35%)

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.