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South Puget Sound Community College

Community CollegeCity: Small

About South Puget Sound Community College

Overview, location, and what makes it stand out

South Puget Sound Community College teaches in Olympia, the Washington capital. Business and nursing are its largest programs, alongside the transfer track most of its students take.

Founded

1962

Location

Olympia, Washington

Students

3,075

Institution

Community College

Known For

BusinessNursingBiologyTransfer Pathways

Key Stats

A quick snapshot of what matters most

Acceptance Rate

Open

Admits all qualified applicants

Graduation Rate

43.7%

Below national average

In-State Tuition

$5,252

Out-of-state: $5,813

Avg Net Price

$9,132

After financial aid

SAT Average

Not required

No test scores requested

Median Earnings

$45,039

10 years after enrollment

Admissions

How competitive is getting in?

Selectivity

Open Admission

Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate

How to Apply

Test Policy

No test needed

Application Fee

Free

Early

N/A

Deadline

Rolling

Academics

How strong is the academic experience?

Student Success

Low GraduationHigh Graduation
43.7%

Below Average

43.7% complete their degree within three years

Retention

59%

Transfer Out

15.6%

Teaching Quality

16:1

Student-Faculty Ratio

Full-Time

92.1%

$/Student

$10.8K

Class Size

Medium

The 43.7% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.

Tuition & Costs

What will you actually pay?

Tuition & Fees

$5,252

In-State

/

$5,813

Out-of-State

Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals

Room & Board

No on-campus housing

Books & Supplies

$900

Total Cost of Attendance

$17,888

After Financial Aid

$9,132

Average Net Price

Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships

Net Price (family income <$30K)

$7,757

Receive Grants

22.4%

Take Loans

4.9%

Tuition is $5,252/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $9,132.

Financial Aid

Who gets aid and what happens after

Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at South Puget Sound Community College fund their education.

While in School

22.4%

Get Grants

Free money

4.9%

Take Loans

Must repay

$18,874

Median Family Income

After Graduation

$11,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Total federal loan balance when students graduate

$117/mo

Monthly Payment

0%

Low

Default Rate

The median debt is just $11,000, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.

Student Body

Diversity, gender, and enrollment

From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends South Puget Sound Community College.

Gender

60.5%

Female

/

40%

Male

Female to Male Ratio

Race & Ethnicity

44.6%
16.7%
10.5%
6.9%
5%
1.8%
White
Hispanic
Multiracial
Asian
Black
International

Enrollment

3,075

Undergraduate Students

Student Profile

N/A

Graduates

42.7%

First-Gen

27 yrs

Avg Age

31.8%

Age 25+

With an average entry age of 27, the campus has more working adults and non-traditional students than most schools. You'll find classmates with real-world experience. 42.7% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.

Campus Life

What it's like to be a student here

Campus Setting

RuralCity
City: Small

City: Small

Campus Quick Facts

3,075

Students

community

Institution

Small

Campus Size

N/A

Classification

What This College Offers

Quarter calendar

Study Abroad

Yes

AP Credit

Yes

Teacher Cert

No

ROTC

No

Evening College

Yes

Online Programs

Yes

Job Placement

Yes

Career Counseling

Yes

Sports & Athletics

How seriously this college takes sport

South Puget Sound Community College fields 4 varsity teams with 94 student athletes, about 3% of the student body.

Division

NWAC

Northwest Athletic Conference

Conference

Not reported

Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams

Varsity Sports

4

Biggest: Soccer

Student Athletes

94

3% of the student body

Athletes by Gender

44% / 56%

41

Men

/

53

Women

3

Men's Teams

4

Women's Teams

Biggest Teams

MenWomen
37
Soccer
26
Basketball
17
Volleyball
14
Golf

After Graduation

What can you earn with this degree?

How much do graduates of South Puget Sound Community Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.

Earnings Trajectory

$45,039

Median Earnings · 10 Years After

$37K
6yr
$33K
8yr
$45K
10yr

Popular Programs

Top 6

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

$29K

550 grads

1yr Earnings

Business/Commerce, General

$61K

47 grads

4yr Earnings

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

$69K

28 grads

1yr Earnings

Physical Sciences, General

27 grads

Biology, General

26 grads

Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications

$43K

21 grads

1yr Earnings

Graduates earn about $37K six years out, growing to $45K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Puget Sound Community College

How much does South Puget Sound Community College cost?
Tuition at South Puget Sound Community College is $5,252 for in-state students and $5,813 for out-of-state students. Tuition is $5,252/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $9,132.
What is the graduation rate at South Puget Sound Community College?
South Puget Sound Community College has a graduation rate of 43.7%. The 43.7% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
How much do South Puget Sound Community College graduates earn?
The median earnings for South Puget Sound Community College graduates is $45,039 ten years after enrollment. Graduates earn about $37K six years out, growing to $45K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.

Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.