Polk State College
About Polk State College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Polk State College serves the citrus and phosphate country between Tampa and Orlando, with campuses in Winter Haven and Lakeland, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution. Business, nursing and criminal justice are its largest programs. It admits every qualified applicant.
Founded
1964
Location
Winter Haven, Florida
Students
7,180
Institution
Public
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
35.3%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$2,694
Out-of-state: $9,817
Avg Net Price
$9,427
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$40,624
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
35.3% complete their degree within six years
Retention
Not reported
4-Year Grad
35.3%
6-Year Grad
Not reported
The federal survey collects no first-year retention cohort for this college.
Teaching Quality
20:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
38.9%
$/Student
$6.6K
Class Size
Large
The 35.3% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$2,694
In-State
$9,817
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$2,698
Total Cost of Attendance
$13,451
After Financial Aid
$9,427
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$9,446
Receive Grants
31.7%
Take Loans
6.5%
Tuition is $2,694/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $9,427.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Polk State College fund their education.
While in School
31.7%
Get Grants
Free money
6.5%
Take Loans
Must repay
$23,968
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$10,076
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$107/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $10,076, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Polk State College.
Gender
65.1%
Female
35%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
7,180
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
51.4%
First-Gen
24 yrs
Avg Age
27.9%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 65% of the student body. 51.4% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
7,180
Students
public
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
Mixed
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Polk State College fields 5 varsity teams with 93 student athletes, about 1% of the student body.
Division
NJCAA
Division I
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
5
Biggest: Soccer
Student Athletes
93
1% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
39% / 61%
36
Men
57
Women
2
Men's Teams
3
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Polk State Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$40,624
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 5Business Administration, Management and Operations
$46K
199 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$81K
71 grads
1yr Earnings
Criminal Justice and Corrections
$41K
47 grads
1yr Earnings
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
$48K
34 grads
1yr Earnings
Air Transportation
$50K
26 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates earn about $36K six years out, growing to $41K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk State College
How much does Polk State College cost?▾
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.