Palm Beach State College (PBSC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Palm Beach State College
Set between palm-lined streets and sea breezes, Palm Beach State College's Lake Worth campus is known for practical, transfer-friendly academics and career-focused learning. Students find a strong liberal arts foundation alongside respected tracks in health, business, public safety, the trades, technology, and the creative fields. Classes lean on applied skills, and the college has a reputation for approachable faculty who keep the work grounded in the real world.
The campus centers on a lively library, busy labs, tutoring and writing support, advising, counseling, and a career hub that helps students line up internships and hiring events. Student life feels welcoming and down-to-earth: clubs, service projects, arts showcases, intramurals, and sunny green space to unwind. And right off campus, South Florida brings beaches, galleries, and employers with room to grow. Part of a county-wide network, PBSC's culture is diverse, flexible, and hands-on, with clear paths to a first job or a smooth transfer.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Palm Beach State College (PBSC) offers 69 degree programs across 17 major academic fields, graduating approximately 5,369 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (1 programs, 2,802 graduates), Health (19 programs, 919 graduates), Business (12 programs, 419 graduates), Security & Safety (7 programs, 372 graduates) and Personal Services (3 programs, 256 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (1 programs, 2,802 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 2,802 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
Health (19 programs, 919 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 348 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 199 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0904 |
| Mental and Social Health Services | 114 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.1599 |
| Radiologic Technology | 35 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0911 |
| Massage Therapy | 29 |
|
Other Award
|
51.3501 |
| Nursing and Patient Care Assistant | 27 |
|
Residency
|
51.3902 |
| Dental Hygiene | 24 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0602 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography | 19 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0910 |
| Medical Assistant | 18 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0801 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy | 18 |
|
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
51.0908 |
| Medical Insurance Billing | 17 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0714 |
| Dental Assisting | 14 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0601 |
| Medical Radiologic Technology | 14 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0907 |
| Health Information Technology | 11 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0707 |
| Surgical Technology | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0909 |
| Substance Abuse Counseling | 10 |
|
Other Award
|
51.1501 |
| Licensed Practical Nursing | 10 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.3901 |
| Health Administration and Management | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0701 |
| Ophthalmic Technician | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1803 |
Business (12 programs, 419 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 230 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0299 |
| Real Estate | 95 |
|
Residency
|
52.1501 |
| Business Administration and Management | 19 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Hotel and Motel Management | 18 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.0904 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0302 |
| Restaurant and Food Services Management | 8 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.0905 |
| Transportation and Mobility Management | 7 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0209 |
| Small Business Management | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0703 |
| Hospitality Management | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
| Business and Personal Financial Services Marketing | 6 |
|
Residency
|
52.1908 |
| Entrepreneurship Studies | 5 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0701 |
| Marketing Management | 3 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.1401 |
Security & Safety (7 programs, 372 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 218 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0203 |
| Criminal Justice and Police Science | 86 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0107 |
| Homeland Security | 29 |
|
Residency
|
43.0399 |
| CNC Machinist Technology | 17 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0102 |
| Forensic Science and Technology | 16 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0406 |
| Criminal Justice Administration | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0103 |
| Fire Prevention and Safety Technology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0201 |
Personal Services (3 programs, 256 graduates)
Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Personal Care
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facial Treatment Specialist | 129 |
|
Residency
|
12.0408 |
| Nail Technology and Manicuring | 65 |
|
Residency
|
12.0410 |
| Cosmetology | 62 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12.0401 |
Computer & IT (6 programs, 217 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Project Management | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.1005 |
| Network and System Administration | 66 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.1001 |
| Computer Programming | 42 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0201 |
| Computer Graphics | 27 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0803 |
| Computer Programming Applications | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
11.0202 |
| Computer and Information Technology Administration and Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1099 |
Mechanics (3 programs, 81 graduates)
Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Mechanics Technology | 64 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
47.0604 |
| Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair | 11 |
|
Other Award
|
47.0101 |
| Marine Maintenance and Ship Repair Technology | 6 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
47.0616 |
Eng. Technologies (6 programs, 66 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC Engineering Technology | 36 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
15.0501 |
| Energy Systems Technology | 9 |
|
Other Award
|
15.1701 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology | 8 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0303 |
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
15.0613 |
| CAD and CADD Drafting and Design Technology | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
15.1302 |
| Construction Engineering Technology | 3 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.1001 |
Arts (2 programs, 46 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematography and Film Production | 26 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
50.0602 |
| Interior Design | 20 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0408 |
Human Sciences (1 programs, 41 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Provider and Assistant | 41 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
19.0709 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Palm Beach State College (PBSC)
How much does it cost to attend Palm Beach State College (PBSC)?
The annual tuition at Palm Beach State College (PBSC) is $3,050 for in-state students and $10,910 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $5,750 for in-state students and $13,610 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,825 (off-campus) and books and supplies $2,700.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Palm Beach State College offer?
Palm Beach State College (PBSC) offers 69 academic programs across 17 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Certificate (≥2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (19 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (12 programs)
- Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (7 programs)
- Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Personal Care (3 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Palm Beach State College?
Palm Beach State College (PBSC) provides financial aid to 10% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $6,330 and average loans of $4,119.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,858
- State/Local grants: $1,561
- Institutional grants: $1,147
- Federal loans: $4,119
The university supports 1,577 students with grants and 237 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Palm Beach State College graduates?
Palm Beach State College (PBSC) graduates earn a median salary of $33,729 after 6 years and $41,923 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $23,109 (25th percentile) to $62,462 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $65,000 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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