At $9,027/yr net price, Polk State College graduates earn $40,624/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,624/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,027 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $36,108 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,624/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,624/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 34.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,076 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,439/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,826/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,302/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,377/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $70,456 | $14,022 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,001 | $9,750 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $48,198 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,007 | $10,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $35,274 | $12,998 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $34,660 | $16,561 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,035 | $6,599 |
The Risk Factor
34.0% of students at Polk State College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Polk State College is cheap enough that the financial risk stays low even when the payoff is modest. You borrow around $10,000 in median debt, well under the $40,624 you can expect to earn ten years out. That debt-to-earnings ratio is the school's strongest number, and it holds up whether your degree pays well or not.
Nursing is the one program that clearly pays. It earns you roughly double what the criminal justice and business degrees do, and the extra debt to get there is small next to the salary gap. If you can get into the nursing track and finish it, that's the degree with real return here.
Criminal justice and business administration are a different story. Both land below the school's own median earnings, and business carries the highest debt of the three programs. You can still come out ahead on cost, but the earnings don't justify treating these as investments the way nursing does. Pick them because you want the work, not the paycheck.
The bigger risk isn't debt, it's finishing. A 34% graduation rate means two out of three students don't complete, and a degree you don't earn returns nothing on the time and money you put in. Go in with a clear plan to finish, especially in the longer nursing sequence.
Net price barely moves across income levels, sitting near $8,000-$10,000 whether your family earns under $30,000 or over $110,000. Lower-income families don't get the steep discounts you'd see at some private schools, but the sticker price is low enough that it stays affordable regardless. This school fits you if you're staying in the Polk County area, want nursing, and need to keep costs down. If you're set on business or criminal justice and expect strong pay, look harder at where those degrees actually lead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Polk State College worth the money?
Polk State College offers solid value for nursing students, with graduates earning around $70,456 annually, but other programs show weaker returns with overall graduate earnings of $40,624 after 10 years. The low net price of $9,027 and manageable debt of $10,076 help offset the modest earnings for most programs.
What are the best paying programs at Polk State College?
Nursing programs at Polk State College provide the strongest financial returns, with graduates earning $53,001 to $70,456 annually. Allied health programs also perform well at around $48,198, while criminal justice graduates earn significantly less at $35,274.
How much debt do Polk State College graduates have?
Polk State College graduates leave with a median debt of $10,076, which is relatively low compared to four-year institutions. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall return on investment, especially for students in lower-paying fields.
What is the graduation rate at Polk State College?
Only 34% of students graduate from Polk State College, which is concerning for ROI since non-graduates still accumulate costs without earning a credential. Students should have a clear plan and strong commitment before enrolling.