Polk State College

Polk State College is a large independent baccalaureate institution located in Winter Haven, Florida, with an undergraduate enrollment of 7,180. The institution primarily awards associate degrees and career certificates, providing affordable workforce training and structured transfer pathways to four-year universities for students in the surrounding region. As a self-governed institution, it operates within the broader Florida postsecondary education landscape and is regionally accredited, making its credits and degrees eligible for federal financial aid. Admission follows an open-enrollment model, meaning no minimum academic credentials are required for entry into most programs — applicants who meet basic eligibility requirements are accepted. Net price for families earning \$48,001–$75,000 averages $9,502 per year. The 4-year graduation rate is 35%, 10 percentage points below the national average of 45%. Among completers who received federal financial aid, 10-year median earnings are $40,624. Median debt at graduation for federal aid recipients is $10,076. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1.