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Polk State College vs Albizu University-Miami: which has better ROI?

Public, Winter Haven FL · vs · Private nonprofit, Miami FL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Polk State College comes closer — median earnings $40,624 against a $18,854 total, vs $41,544 at Albizu University-Miami. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePolk State CollegeAlbizu University-Miami
Net price / yr$9,427$19,849
Total net cost$18,854$79,396
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,624$41,544
Median debt$10,076$5,500
Payback
20-year net return-$173,574-$215,716

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Polk State College or Albizu University-Miami?

Polk State College, at $9,427 a year after aid versus $19,849 — a gap of $10,422 a year, or $60,542 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Polk State College or Albizu University-Miami graduates earn more?

Albizu University-Miami graduates report a median $41,544 ten years after entry, $920 more than the $40,624 at Polk State College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Polk State College or Albizu University-Miami?

Albizu University-Miami: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $10,076 at Polk State College, a difference of $4,576. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

40% of students finish at Albizu University-Miami, against 35% at Polk State College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Polk State College vs Albizu University-Miami: frequently asked questions

Is Polk State College or Albizu University-Miami a better value?
Polk State College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Polk State College or Albizu University-Miami?
Polk State College: $9,427/yr net price after aid versus $19,849/yr at Albizu University-Miami — a difference of $10,422 a year, or about $60,542 over four years.
Do Polk State College or Albizu University-Miami graduates earn more?
Albizu University-Miami graduates earn a median $41,544 ten years after entry, versus $40,624 at Polk State College — a $920 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.