Polk State College: programs, outcomes and local jobs

Polk State College at a glance

• 7,180

  students enrolled

• 1,966

  degrees and certificates a year

• 35%

  of students complete

  College Scorecard

• $9,427

  average net price a year

  Tuition $2,483 in state, $9,933 out of state

• $35,602

  median earnings, 6 years after entry

• $40,624

  median earnings, 10 years after entry

  82% working

What students study

AI and data programs

Degrees and certificates awarded in 2024, by program area and level, from IPEDS completions.

The job market around Polk State College

Professional jobs listed in the cities of Polk County, where the college is.

• 190

  open professional jobs

• 31

  entry level

  3 say no experience is needed

• 3%

  ask for AI skills

  5 jobs

• 5.2%

  unemployment in Polk County

  2026-09 · unchanged from a year earlier

• $63,644

  median household income

  Polk County

• 32%

  of workers are in professional jobs

  estimated 3.2% unemployment among them

Jobs that fit what students study here: most degrees are in health professions, business & management, security & protective services, which lead to clinical (10 open), finance (13 open), sales (25 open), operations (42 open), marketing (6 open), human resources (7 open).

Hiring most: SouthState Bank, National Association (16), State of Florida (13), Polk County FL (9), Walmart (6), Amazon (4), Polk County Public Schools (4), Arkema (3), Carvana (3).

What they hire for: Operations (42), Sales (25), Engineering (21), Legal (14), Finance (13), Clinical (10). Operations jobs

Job search help near campus

Workforce board: CareerSource Polk.

• CareerSource PolkLakeland · 863-508-1100 · Mon-Thur7:30-4:00, Fri 7:30-12:30
• CareerSource Polk (CareerSource Polk Haines City)Haines City · First Tuesday of every month (Job search) all other times by appointment only (Closed Saturday & Sunday).

American Job Centers are free, public career offices.

Similar colleges in Florida

• State College of Florida-Manatee-SarasotaBradenton · 7,379 students
• Pasco-Hernando State CollegeNew Port Richey · 6,900 students
• Pensacola State CollegePensacola · 7,538 students
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahassee · 7,582 students
• College of Central FloridaOcala · 5,033 students
• University of West FloridaPensacola · 9,330 students

All Florida colleges

Common questions

How big is Polk State College?

Polk State College enrolls about 7,180 students and is a public 4-year institution in Winter Haven, Florida. It awards about 1,966 degrees and certificates a year.

What is the graduation rate at Polk State College?

35% of students complete, from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS 2023 / Scorecard 2026-06).

What do Polk State College graduates earn?

Median earnings of students who received federal aid are $35,602 six years after entry and $40,624 ten years after entry, from the College Scorecard.

Does Polk State College offer AI or data science degrees?

Yes. Polk State College awarded degrees or certificates in robotics, mechatronics and automation (certificate) in 2024, from IPEDS completions by program.

Are there jobs near Polk State College?

190 open professional jobs are listed in Polk County, 31 of them entry level and 3 saying no experience is needed. SouthState Bank, National Association has the most openings.