South Puget Sound Community College

2011 Mottman Rd SW
Olympia, WA 98512
Top Ranked (2023): View Rankings
  • As a comprehensive, open door community college, South Puget Sound Community College is committed to providing quality educational opportunities to meet the intellectual, academic, vocational, career, personal, and developmental education needs of its students and members of the community.

School Highlights

South Puget Sound Community College serves 4,665 students (60% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is higher than the state community college average of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 50%.

Quick Stats (2023)

  • Enrollment: 4,665 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,321
  • Out-state tuition: $9,556
  • Student:teacher ratio: 13:1
  • Minority enrollment: 41%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

South Puget Sound Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:

Category
Attribute
Completion Rates

School Overview

The teacher population of 366 teachers has grown by 165% over five years.
South Puget Sound Community College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
366 staff
353 staff
This chart display total faculty of South Puget Sound Community College and community college average number of faculty in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of South Puget Sound Community College has declined by 5% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 has decreased from 14:1 over five years.
The South Puget Sound Community College diversity score of 0.62 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,665 students
4,003 students
This chart display the total enrollment of South Puget Sound Community College and community college average number of enrollment of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of South Puget Sound Community College and community college average student staff ratio of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
2,778 students
2,116 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of South Puget Sound Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,887 students
1,887 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of South Puget Sound Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of South Puget Sound Community College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of WA.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
430 students
384 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,778 students
2,116 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of South Puget Sound Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,887 students
1,887 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
160 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Asian
8%
8%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
12%
14%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
2%
5%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
59%
50%
This chart display the percentage of White students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of White community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
This chart display the percentage of Hawaiian students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
% Two or more races
11%
8%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
2%
6%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in South Puget Sound Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
6%
7%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South Puget Sound Community College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in WA.
Diversity Score
0.62
0.71
This chart display the diversity score of South Puget Sound Community College and the community college average diversity score of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
40%
37%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of South Puget Sound Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
2.2%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,500
$36,400
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of South Puget Sound Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of WA by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,321 is more than the state average of $4,105. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $9,556 is more than the state average of $7,359. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,321
$4,105
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of South Puget Sound Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$9,556
$7,359
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of South Puget Sound Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
48%
67%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in South Puget Sound Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,000
$11,794
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in South Puget Sound Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,424
$6,292
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in South Puget Sound Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in WA by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • South Puget Sound Community College is a public two-year college. With more than 5,000 full-and part-time students, we are the largest college in the South Puget Sound area. Our main campus is nestled in a beautiful wooded area a few minutes away from the state capitol in Olympia, Washington. We also offer classes at our Hawks Prairie Center in Lacey and in Yelm. Founded in 1962 as Olympia Vocational Technical Institute Renamed Olympia Technical Community College in 1976 Mission expanded to become a fully comprehensive community college in 1980 Renamed South Puget Sound Community College in 1984 Established the Hawks Prairie Center in Lacey in 1995. The college offer occupational training for gaining the skills and knowledge you need for direct employment or career advancement in business and industry. Associate of Technical Arts degrees and/or certificates of completion are offered in a variety of areas. South Puget Sound Community College awards degrees of Associate of Arts, Associate Degree in Nursing, Associate of General Studies, and Associate of Technical Arts. Certificates are awarded for successful completion of vocational-technical programs. High school diplomas and the GED high school equivalency are also offered. The college is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. We offer college transfer, technical and enrichment courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does South Puget Sound Community College cost?
South Puget Sound Community College's tuition is approximately $4,321 for In-State students and $9,556 for Out-State students.
What is South Puget Sound Community College's ranking?
South Puget Sound Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Washington for: Highest completion rates.

School Calendar

View the South Puget Sound Community College yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:

  • Event Date
  • Last Day to Withdraw and receive a "W" on the transcript June 02, 2023 (Friday)
  • Last Day to Withdraw and receive a "W" on the transcript June 02, 2023 (Friday)
  • Last Day of WOL Classes June 14, 2023 (Wednesday)
  • Last Day of WOL Classes June 14, 2023 (Wednesday)
  • Last Day of Instruction SPSCC, Hybrid and OL Classes June 16, 2023 (Friday)

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Quick Stats (2023)

  • Enrollment: 4,665 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,321
  • Out-state tuition: $9,556
  • Student:teacher ratio: 13:1
  • Minority enrollment: 41%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Washington public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,105 per year for in-state students and $7,359 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $19,532 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Washington community colleges have a diversity score of 0.71, which is higher than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in Washington is South Seattle College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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