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 4,974 students (62% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the state community college average of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 53%.
Quick Stats (2022-23)
Enrollment: 4,974 students
In-state tuition: $4,321
Out-state tuition: $9,556
Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
Minority enrollment: 44%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 366 teachers has grown by 103% 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 stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 has decreased from 35:1 over five years.
The South Puget Sound Community College diversity score of 0.65 is less than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,974 students
4,700 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
# Full-Time Students
3,087 students
2,313 students
# Part-Time Students
1,887 students
2,387 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
% Asian
6%
7%
% Hispanic
12%
15%
% Black
3%
5%
% White
56%
47%
% Hawaiian
1%
1%
% Two or more races
12%
8%
% Non Resident races
2%
4%
% Unknown races
7%
12%
Diversity Score
0.65
0.73
College Completion Rate
41%
38%
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 $4,058. The in-state tuition has grown by 5% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $9,556 is more than the state average of $7,211. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,321
$4,058
Out-State Tuition Fees
$9,556
$7,211
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
49%
64%
Median Debt for Graduates
$12,076
$12,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$6,267
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Source: 2020 (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.
School Calendar
View the South Puget Sound Community College yearly calendar below. Note key dates such as:
EventDate
Last Day of Instruction WOL ClassesNovember 30, 2022 (Wednesday)
Last Day of Instruction WOL ClassesNovember 30, 2022 (Wednesday)
Last Day of Instruction SPSCC, Hybrid and OL ClassesDecember 02, 2022 (Friday)
Last Day of Instruction SPSCC, Hybrid and OL ClassesDecember 02, 2022 (Friday)
First Day of SPSCC, Hybrid and OL (SPSCC Online) ClassesJanuary 09, 2023 (Monday)
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to South Puget Sound Community College is Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom (19.8 miles away)
No matter where you choose to go to college you'll have to take some kind of standardized test. The GRE is often required for graduate programs, but it may also benefit your community college application.
Education becomes more expensive with each passing year so it is important to make smart use of your student loans and to minimize your debt while you are in school whenever possible.
Quick Stats (2022-23)
Enrollment: 4,974 students
In-state tuition: $4,321
Out-state tuition: $9,556
Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
Minority enrollment: 44%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
For Washington public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,058 per year for in-state students and $7,211 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.
