PSC vs. WKU

Comparable Facts

Compare Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Kentucky University is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (16,291 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Polk State College is located in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting); Western Kentucky University is in Bowling Green, KY (Small City setting).
• Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Kentucky University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Polk State College 19:1; Western Kentucky University 19:1.

PSC vs. WKU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PSC or WKU? 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 WKU ($10,011 vs. $12,548).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 3.1% lower than at Western Kentucky University ($12,186 vs. $12,582).
• Western Kentucky University is 332.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $8,958 more per year; $11,652.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175% higher at WKU than at Polk State College (about $17,183 more per year; $27,000.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Kentucky University than at Polk State College (99% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Kentucky University students is 230.4% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($10,921 vs. $3,305).

PSC vs. WKU Admissions comparison

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

• Polk State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 840/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern Kentucky University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PSC - Open admission; WKU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WKU Aug 1, 2027.

PSC vs. WKU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PSC and WKU? 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 Western Kentucky University earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,100 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $14,750 lower median loan debt than WKU graduates ($9,500 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $152 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WKU graduates ($98 vs. $250).
• More WKU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (47% 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.