South Puget Sound Community College
South Puget Sound Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
South Puget Sound Community College at a Glance
South Puget Sound Community College is a public community college in southwest Olympia, Washington. The college contains 125 acres (0.51 km2) and is serving about 5,300 full and part-time students as of the fall 2020 quarter.
1962
64 years old
4,252
95
125 acres
Identity
Is South Puget Sound Community College Worth It?
South Puget Sound Community College offers moderate value at $9,132/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $45,039, which is 16% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How South Puget Sound Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #41 of 228 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #41 | South Puget Sound Community College | 54 | $9,132 | $45,039 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of South Puget Sound Community College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 27 in WA.
Best Programs at South Puget Sound Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for South Puget Sound Community College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,132/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Olympia, WA
- Student Body
- 3,075 students
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,132
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,039
- Median Student Debt
- $11,000