Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Winter Haven

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Winter haven city hall winter haven floridaPhoto: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0
Colleges in and near Winter Haven

Winter Haven is home to Polk State College

Polk State College (4,687 students on campus) is inside the city. About 5% of Winter Haven’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Florida (6%).

Polk State College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Winter Haven. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
16,039 students on campus
Nearest college
1.6 mi
Polk State College
Residents in college
5%
About the same as FL (6%)
Nearest community college
36.7 mi
Valencia College · $2,664 tuition
Nearest public university
1.6 mi
Polk State College · $2,694 in-state
Median household income
$60K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Winter Haven

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A college in Winter HavenPolk State College has 4,687 students on campus in Winter Haven, 35% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Polk State CollegeLiving in Florida, Polk State College charges $2,694 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $9,817. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 36.7 miles awayValencia College in Orlando: tuition and fees $2,664 a year for Florida residents.Students are 5% of residentsAbout the same as Florida (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Winter Haven

Two private colleges within 13.2 miles, and two public colleges within 10 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miPolk State CollegeWinter Haven
University or collegeCommunity college
Polk State CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 4,687 on campus · In Winter Haven$9knet price35%graduate$41kearningsFlorida Polytechnic UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 1,618 on campus · 10 mi · Lakeland58%admitted$12knet price55%graduateSoutheastern UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 6,779 on campus · 11.4 mi · Lakeland53%admitted$32knet price43%graduate$47kearningsFlorida Southern CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,955 on campus · 13.2 mi · Lakeland64%admitted$29knet price71%graduate$55kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Winter Haven’s median household income ($59,648) falls.

Polk State CollegeIn Winter Haven · sticker $13,451$9,502a year
Florida Polytechnic University10 mi · Lakeland · sticker $21,817$11,316a year
Florida Southern College13.2 mi · Lakeland · sticker $60,768$25,830a year
Southeastern University11.4 mi · Lakeland · sticker $49,329$31,185a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Winter Haven: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Polk State CollegeSoutheastern UniversityFlorida Southern College
Southeastern University43% graduate$47k earnings$22k typical debt
Polk State College35% graduate$41k earnings$10k typical debt
Florida Southern College71% graduate$55k earnings$25k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Winter Haven

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Polk State College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 43%Health professions 19%Business 16%Public safety 13%Education 3%Computer science 2%Everything else 3%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations199 graduates a year
$52k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing71 graduates a year
$94k4 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections47 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Winter Haven

Is Winter Haven a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Winter Haven residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Florida (6). The largest campus in the city, Polk State College, has 4,687 students on campus.

What colleges are in Winter Haven?

Polk State College is inside the city. Valencia College is 36.7 miles away in Orlando.

What is the closest community college to Winter Haven, and what does it cost?

Valencia College in Orlando, 36.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,664 a year for Florida residents; the federal net price, $12,037, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Polk State College cost if we live in Florida?

Tuition and fees are $2,694 a year in-state and $9,817 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,446 (under $30,000 income) to $7,464 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Winter Haven. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →