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 6,079 students (48% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the state community college average of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 56%.
Quick Stats (2025)
Enrollment: 6,079 students
In-state tuition: $4,321
Out-state tuition: $9,556
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
Minority enrollment: 47%
Source: Verified school update
School Overview
The teacher population of 366 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
South Puget Sound Community College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
The student population of South Puget Sound Community College has grown by 22% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 has increased from 13:1 over five years.
The South Puget Sound Community College diversity score of 0.68 is less than the state average of 0.75. The school's diversity has grown by 5% over five years.
Total Enrollment
6,079 students
4,711 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
# Full-Time Students
2,900 students
2,028 students
# Part-Time Students
3,179 students
3,179 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
607 students
494 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,900 students
2,028 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,179 students
3,179 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
7%
10%
% Hispanic
15%
17%
% Black
4%
7%
% White
53%
44%
% Hawaiian
1%
1%
% Two or more races
10%
8%
% Non Resident races
2%
3%
% Unknown races
7%
9%
Diversity Score
0.68
0.75
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.4395%
0.5723%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.3584%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,500
$36,400
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 declined by 7% 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 declined by 5% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,321
$4,105
Out-State Tuition Fees
$9,556
$7,359
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
51%
58%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,000
$11,794
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,424
$6,192
Acceptance Rate
99%
99%
Sports
Total Sports Offered
4 sports
Sports
Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Volleyball
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
9 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization: Active Minds, ARS Nova, Creative Writing Club, Film Society, Gaming Club, Mad Hatters, Rainbow Spectrum, Tomodachi Circle, Veteran Club
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
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 the acceptance rate of South Puget Sound Community College?
The acceptance rate of South Puget Sound Community College is 99%, which is equal to the state average of 99%.
What sports does South Puget Sound Community College offer?
South Puget Sound Community College offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Golf, Soccer and Volleyball.
School Calendar
View the South Puget Sound Community College yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
Event
Date
Last Day of Instruction SPSCC, Hybrid and OL Classes
March 18, 2025 (Tuesday)
Last Day of Instruction SPSCC, Hybrid and OL Classes
March 18, 2025 (Tuesday)
First Day of WAOL (Washington Online) Classes & WAOL Registration Ends
April 03, 2025 (Thursday)
First Day of WAOL (Washington Online) Classes & WAOL Registration Ends
April 03, 2025 (Thursday)
First Day of SPSCC, Hybrid and OL (SPSCC Online) Classes
April 07, 2025 (Monday)
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to South Puget Sound Community College is Pierce College District (19.8 miles away)
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