Polk State College
- Polk State College, established in 1964, has campuses and centers in every corner of Polk County, including Winter Haven, Lakeland, Bartow, and Lake Wales. Each year, the College serves more than 16,000 students. Degree offerings include the Bachelor of Applied Science, Bachelor of Science, Associate in Arts, and Associate in Science. Additionally, the College offers a wide range of certificate and workforce training options. The College also operates three charter high schools. The advantages of attending Polk State include small class sizes, flexible class schedules and online options, affordable tuition, excellent financial aid, vibrant student life opportunities, and intercollegiate athletics.
School Highlights
- Polk State College serves 16,000 students (24% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is lower than the state community college average of 38:1.
- Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 31%.
- Polk State College is one of 2 community colleges within Polk County, FL.
- The nearest community college is Everest University-Lakeland (14.30 miles away).
- Polk State Collegiate High Schools No. 1 in State for Graduation Rates - 01/24/2018 - Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate and Lakeland Collegiate high schools rank No. 1 out of 448 public high schools in Florida for four-year graduation rates.
- Polk State Pantry: A Helping Hand For Students Who Need Food And More - 01/10/2018 - Imagine a room full of your favorite snacks. The Polk State Pantry is that, and so much more. The Lakeland Campus pantry will open Tuesday, Jan. 16, in LLC 2155A to provide food to students in need from snacks and microwavable lunches between classe...more
- Polk State’s 117th Commencement: A Milestone For Students, President, And District Board Of Trustee - 12/15/2017 - Polk State College`s 117th commencement ceremony was extraordinarily special, marking milestones for students, President Angela Garcia Falconetti, and District Board of Trustee Cindy Hartley Ross.
- Students From Puerto Rico Find Opportunity At Polk State After Hurricane Maria - 12/01/2017 - Gov. Rick Scott asked Florida state colleges and universities to provide support to students from Puerto Rico. Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti appointed Director of Student Enrollment Services and Registrar Kathy Bucklew as the point...more
- Rally in Tally: SGA Members Meet With Polk Legislators - 11/20/2017 - Members of Polk State College`s three Student Government Associations (SGA) recently had the opportunity to visit Florida`s Capitol and meet with members of the Polk County legislative delegation. Students from the Winter Haven and Lakeland Campuses and the Po...more
- USF Advisor Provides Pathways For Polk State Students - 01/23/2018 - When students become a part of the Eagle family at Polk State College, they also have the opportunity to become Bulls or Knights in training. Through the College`s partnerships with University of South Florida`s FUSE and University of Central Fl...more
- Students Learn Science, Skills & Strength Studying Abroad in Guadeloupe - 12/26/2017 - A group of Polk State students can now say they have hiked a volcano, kayaked mangroves, and snorkeled the waters of Guadeloupe. They participated in water-quality experiments with researchers from the University of Antilles and studied terrestrial and aquatic...more
- Meet the Officers: Lakeland SGA Leads With Diversity - 10/03/2017 - The Student Government Association (SGA) provides Polk State College students with an active voice in administrative and legislative matters concerning the student body. The SGA serves as the liaison between students and administrators, organizes campus activi...more
School Overview
- The teacher population of 900 teachers has grown by 260% over five years.
| Polk State College | (FL) Community College Avg. | |
| Carnegie Classification | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges | Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges |
| Institution Level | Less than 2 yrs | Four or more years |
| Institution Control | Public | Private, non-profit |
| Total Faculty | 900 staff | 37 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 16,000 students | 1,142 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 18:1 | 38:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 3,840 students | 487 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 12,160 students | 655 students |
 |  | |
| % Asian | - | 2% |
| % Hispanic | 21% | 24% |
| % Black | 17% | 17% |
| % White | 51% | 69% |
| % Two or more races | - | 2% |
| % Non Resident races | - | 2% |
| % Unknown races | 11% | - |
 |  | |
| Diversity Score | 0.65 | 0.60 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 31% | 52% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $34,000 | $30,800 |
Sports
| Total Sports Offered | 6 sports |
| Sports | Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Soccer, Softball, VolleyballBaseball, Basketball, Cheering, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball, |
Extracurriculars
| Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric. | 5 extracurriculars |
| ExtracurricularsExtra-curric. | Club or Organization: Golden KEt (GK), Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Student Government Association Arts and Music Programs: Symphony Orchestra, Theate |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
Nearby Schools
- College Location Mi. Students
- Everest University-LakelandPrivate, for profit367 students | 14.30 Mi995 E Memorial Blvd Suite110
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863)686-1444 14.30367 - Everest University-South OrlandoPrivate, for profit22,535 students | 32.90 Mi9200 Soutpark Center Loop
Orlando, FL 32819
(407)851-2525 32.9022,535 - Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-OrlandoPrivate, for profit972 students | 33.20 Mi8511 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819
(407)888-4000 33.20972 - 2,780 students | 34.20 Mi600 W College Dr
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863)453-6661 34.202,780 - 1,445 students | 34.60 Mi1485 Florida Mall Avenue
Orlando, FL 32809
(407)671-9922 34.601,445
Recent Articles
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Learn about programs offered by community colleges that allow students to earn a two-year degree and then go on to earn a bachelor’s degree either online or at a nearby university.
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