Winter Haven, FL · Private University
Is Polk State College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$40,624
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$3,366
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$12,272
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$49,088
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.31x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
8.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
34.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$10,076
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$9,027
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Polk State College graduates earn $4,376 less than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Polk State College ranked by graduate earnings
111 graduates
16 graduates
41 graduates
282 graduates
61 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Polk State College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Polk State College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $79,822) and the lowest (Criminal Justice and Corrections: $43,573) is $36,249/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $79,822 | 6.5x |
| Air Transportation(1yr data) | $50,499 | 4.1x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $48,210 | 3.9x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,508 | 3.7x |
| Criminal Justice and CorrectionsLowest | $43,573 | 3.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Polk State College stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $40,624 10 years after starting, $4,376 below the national median of $45,000. Graduates typically break even on their investment within 8.7 years, a reasonable timeline.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.