999 Avenue H, NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881-4299
(863) 297-1000
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At a Glance

Polk State College, established in 1964, has locations across Polk County, including Bartow, Lakeland, Lake Wales and Winter Haven. Each year, the college serves more than 14,000 degree-seeking students and 9,000 indidviauls in workforce training programs. 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.

Polk State College (POLK) is a Public institution located in the Central-West region of Florida. POLK has Regional Accreditation.

The main campus in Winter Haven, FL has a Town feeling.

Polk State College offers programs that lead to the following types of degrees:

  • Associate (2 yr.)
  • Bachelor's (4 yr.)
  • Certificate
Most Notable Programs
  • AS- Aerospace Administration
  • BS- Aerospace Sciences/Aerospace Administration (AS, AA or Equiv)
  • BS- Criminal Justice (From Earned AS)
  • BSN- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
  • AS- Engineering Technology
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Student Body (as of 2025)

Enrollment Status
Enrollment Status
Enrollment Type Number of Students
Full Time 4645
Part Time 9870

Part-time students outnumber full-time students (2.12:1) at Polk State College.

Demographics
Demographics
Ethnicity Percentage of Students
American Indian/Alaska Native 0.00
Asian 0.00
Black/African American 17.00
Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 0.00
Hispanic/Latino 30.00
White/Caucasian 40.00
Other/Unknown 13.00

The most common ethnicity is White/Caucasian (40%) followed by Hispanic/Latino (30%.)

Gender
Gender
Gender Percentage of Students
Female 62.00
Male 38.00

At 62%, female students outnumber male students by a very significant margin. Percentages are based on "as reported" values.

Additional Information

Polk State College offers a variety of campus clubs and organizations, as well as numerous opportunities for students to participate in community service, leadership development, college-wide committees and intramural sports.

Enrollment Stats
Total Students: 14,515
Undergraduate Students: 14,515
Graduate Students: 0
Average Student Age: 24
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Costs and Financial Aid (as of 2026)

Polk State's tuition is approximately one-third the cost of universities and private colleges.
30
Credit Hours
for Full-Time
$112
In-State Tuition
per Credit Hour
$409
Out-Of-State Tuition
per Credit Hour
Yes
Bright Futures
Scholarships
Additional Information

Start early. Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school code for Polk State College is 001514.

Scholarships

Polk State College Foundation provides a variety of scholarships from business partners, alumni and other donors.  Institutional Scholarships are provided to students based on need, merit, and public service through Student Financial Services.

Estimated Full-Time Costs
Estimated Full-Time Costs
Category Cost
Full-Time Tuition 3367.00
Books and Supplies 1800.00
Housing Costs 0.00

The total estimated full time costs of $5,167.00 consists of $3,367.00 for Tuition, $1,800.00 for Books and Supplies, and $0.00 for Housing.

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Admissions (as of 2026)

Polk State College maintains an "open-door" policy and welcomes any high school graduate with a qualifying diploma or GED certificate.
100%
Freshman Applicants
Accepted
$0
Student
Application Fee
$0
Required
Tuition Deposit
N/A
Average GPA
for Merit Scholarship
Admissions Policy
Polk State College follows an Open Admissions policy. Test scores and/or GPA are not factors in the admissions decision. A high school diploma or GED certificate is required.
Admission Notification Plan
Email to student's personal email address entered on the admission application.
Additional Information

The application to Polk State College is available for free on polk.edu. Limited-admissions programs such as Nursing and Health Sciences require additional applications specific to each program. An advisor will assist you in applying and there are no additional application fees.

All students new to Polk State College must attend an orientation.

Application Deadlines
Academic Period Admissions Deadline Financial Aid Deadline
* Note: Polk State College follows a Rolling Admissions policy.
Additional Deadlines Information

Admissions and Financial Aid preferred deadlines are six weeks prior to the beginning of each term. Transfer students should apply six weeks early and order incoming transcripts immediately.

If you complete the FAFSA and submit all required documents and transcripts by the deadline, we promise your application for aid will be processed by the first day of class.  We cannot guarantee fnancial aid, but we can promise that you ll know where you stand!  Visit our Admission Steps for details!

Admissions URL
polk.edu
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Distance Learning (as of 2026)

Polk State College is a proud member of the Florida Department of Education’s XploreFLEd, which offers online degree programs at a reduced cost for out-of-state (non-resident) students.
Enrollment Procedures

Please reference this site: www.polk.edu/admission-aid or email registrar@polk.edu.

Distance Learning Fees

$0

Additional Information

Distance learning at Polk State College involves initiatives to bring many Polk State College courses to students in such a way that the traditional barriers of time and distance no longer exist. This includes coursework delivered over the Internet using Canvas by Instructure.


Online classes rely on this technology, allowing students flexibility and convenience in scheduling classes. In many ways the online environment is similar to other formats. The most successful students in online classes are highly motivated and disciplined individuals who are comfortable with technology. Students will be viewing videos and tutorials, interacting through discussion boards and blog postings, and reading from texts and other sources.

Highest Enrollment Programs
  • Liberal Arts - AA-LART
  • Business Administration - AS-BUAD
  • Criminal Justice - BS-CRIM
  • Supervision And Management - BAS-SUMA
  • Nursing - BSN-NURS
Explore Programs
Distance Learning Courses

Polk State College publishes Distance Learning courses on the FloridaShines Course Catalog. Students enrolled in other Florida public institutions can start registration as transient students directly from the catalog.

Explore Courses 
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Campuses

Main Campus
999 Avenue H, NE
Winter Haven, FL  33881-4299
USA
(863) 297-1000
Website
Center for Public Safety
Jim Keene Boulevard
Winter Haven, FL  33880
(863) 297-1000
Website
Clear Springs Advanced Technology Center
310 Technology Drive
Bartow, FL  33830
USA
(863) 699-2326
Website
JD Alexander Center
152 E. Central Avenue
Lake Wales, FL  33853
USA
(863) 298-6830
Website
Lakeland
3425 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL  33803
USA
(863) 297-1000
Website
Lakeland Airside Campus
3515 Aviation Drive
Lakeland, FL  33811
USA
(863) 297-1000
Website
Winter Haven
999 Ave H NE
Winter Haven, FL  33881
USA
(863) 297-1000
Website
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Programs

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    Limited Enrollment
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Campus Life (as of 2026)

Activities
Greek Academic Organizations
Greek Fraternities
Greek Sororities
Social Fraternities
Social Sororities
Academic Honor Societies
Professional Associations
Marching Band
Special Interest Clubs / Organizations
Symphony Orchestra
Student Government Association
Theater
On-Campus Housing Options
Co-Ed
Female Only
Male Only
Polk State College does not offer on-campus housing.
On-Campus Services
Fitness Services
Child Care Services
Medical Services
Polk State College offers Fitness services but not Child Care or Medical services.
Additional Information

Polk State offers the advantages of intimate campus life you might expect from a small college — but has a wide range of opportunities and services that are only possible with an institution that serves over 23,000 students each year.

No matter if you’re into the environment or salsa dancing, there is a Polk State student club or organization for you. The College offers dozens of student life opportunities — all you have to do is join. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact your campus Student Activities and Leadership Office (SALO) for information on how to start a new club.

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Sports

Intercollegiate Sports
Sport Men's Team Women's Team
Scholarships Available
Baseball
Basketball
Soccer
Softball
Volleyball
Additional Information

The Polk State Eagles play in the Suncoast Conference, and the College traditionally fields strong teams in men's baseball, women's softball, men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, and women’s soccer. Many of our student-athletes continue their academic and athletic careers at four-year schools, and some have played professional sports.

Team Identity
“Eagles”
Memberships
Polk State College competes as part of the following organizations:
  • NJCAA Division Region VIII
  • SunCoast
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Returning Students (as of 2026)

We are glad you are considering returning to Polk State College. We encourage students to use the Admission Steps for answers to many admission questions.
Admissions/Re-Admissions Instructions
Students may submit an online application at polk.edu. They will receive an admission email with instructions to help them complete the process. Polk State welcomes back all its returning students.
Financial Aid
Start early. Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The school code for Polk State College is 001514.
Additional Information
Returning students should start early in the admission process. Visit with an advisor to ensure you are on the right track with your program objective and that you only take classes you need to complete your degree.
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Contact Directory

Accelerated Options

Simmi Johnson (Lakeland campus)
 (863) 669-2822

Accelerated Options

Simmi Johnson (Winter Haven campus)
 (863) 669-2822

Admission

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Athletics

Randy Lee
 (863) 297-1017

Career Center / Services

Charity Garcia (Winter Haven campus)
 (863) 292-3757

Career Center / Services

Laquieria Nottage (Lakeland campus)
 (863) 837-5928

Disability/Special Needs

Dionne Formey (Winter Haven campus)
 (863) 292-3759

Disability/Special Needs

Kim Pearsall (Lakeland campus)
 (863) 669-2309

Fees & Payments

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Financial Aid

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1004

Honors Program Admission Info

Mike Long
 (863) 669-2828

Library Services

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Orientation

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Registration

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Returning/Adult Student Info

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Scholarships

Lanier Cameron
 (863) 292-3676

Student Services

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Transfer Student Information

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000

Visitor Information

General Contact Information
 (863) 297-1000