Polk State College — College Profile

About

Polk State College in Winter Haven, Florida, is a public institution highly regarded for providing affordable, career-aligned associate and bachelor’s degree programs tailored to the region's growing workforce. The college is best known for its standout Nursing and Health Sciences divisions, hands-on Aerospace Sciences program, and top-tier law enforcement training through the Kenneth C. Thompson Institute of Public Safety. Students experience a supportive, commuter-friendly campus culture that prioritizes practical skill-building, small class sizes, and direct faculty engagement. A key distinguishing feature is the college's DirectConnect to UCF partnership, which offers eligible Polk State graduates guaranteed, seamless transfer admission to the University of Central Florida.

Wikipedia: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.

Location

Winter Haven, FL, 33881-4299 · City campus

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Nearest airport from college

MCO · Orlando

37 mi away

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Cost

In-state COA

$13,451

Out-of-state COA

$20,574

Avg net price

$9,427

In-state tuition

$2,694

Out-of-state tuition

$9,817

Books & supplies

$2,698/yr

Average net price by family income

$0–30k

$9,446

$30–48k

$9,203

$48–75k

$9,502

$110k+

$7,464

Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay Requirements

This school does not appear to use the Common Application. Check the school's admissions website directly for essay requirements and application instructions.

See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.

Outcomes

Graduation rate

35%

Transfer-out rate

21%

8-year outcomes

Graduated

40%

Transferred

25%

Still enrolled

Dropped out / unknown

34%

Median earnings (6yr)

$35,602

Median earnings (10yr)

$40,624

Median debt

$10,076

Monthly loan payment

$107

Debt range (25th–75th)

$3,000–$14,196

Debt (90th percentile)

$25,875

Student Body

Men 35%Women 65%

Student : Faculty ratio

■Students ■ Faculty

Pell grant recipients

32%

First-generation

51%

Median family income

$23,968

Independent students

42%

Veterans

Avg age at entry

24.0

Part-time students

65%

Race & ethnicity

White

27%

Hispanic

30%

Black

11%

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

23%

Programs & Earnings

Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings

Median earnings for graduates across all programs

6 years after entry

$35,602

10 years after entry

$40,624

Business Administration, Management and Operations199

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing71

Criminal Justice and Corrections47

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods34

Air Transportation26

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Institutional

Endowment

$35M

Classification

Baccalaureate/Associates

Undergraduate profile

Four-year, mostly part-time

Full-time faculty

39%

Avg faculty salary

$7,338/mo

Instructional spend/student