South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Academics and Admissions

Academics

The lush green mountains and hip, arty scene of Olympia are both within easy reach of South Puget Sound Community College, located just a few minutes’ drive from the city’s downtown area in a quieter, residential area. Both full-time and part-time students are welcome, and there are a number of different certificates available, as well as associate’s degrees and general education classes for members of the community.

Formed in 1962, originally as a technical institute that focused on adult education classes, South Puget Sound Community College has undergone a great deal of growth and change, today offering a vast array of different programs. Students can enjoy a number of different hands-on programs, some of which are the best technical training in the state. Whether it’s learning how to be a nurse or weld, there is something at the college for just about everyone’s interests.

South Puget Sound Community College offers an associate degree in the arts in four different areas, as well as an associate degree in science in a few different areas. The areas of emphasis for the associate in the arts are media, cinematography performance, cinematography production, and international intercultural studies. In the sciences, students can choose from two different tracks. One focuses more on the physical and biological sciences, with classes covering everything from chemistry to environmental sciences. The other track is more focuses on engineering and computers, with additional classes in physics and atmospheric sciences, too.

The most popular programs at South Puget Sound Community College include the associate in pre-nursing and the professional-technical degree in early childhood education. For other technical-oriented degrees and certificates, the school’s most popular fields are automotive technology, business intelligence, the culinary arts, fire and emergency services technology, and welding.

Most Popular Fields of Study

Information Summary

Ranks 39th in Washington and 3166th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	48.6
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$5,293
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	31 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	59% / 43%
Enrollment Total (all students)	4,872

Admissions

Students interested in attending South Puget Sound Community College should pick up an application from the school’s admissions office, or download one online. First-time college students should provide proof of their GED or high school diploma, their high school transcript, and a nonrefundable application processing fee. For students who are coming back to college for a second time, it is highly recommended that you also submit your college transcript, to see if you can get credit for any of your previous coursework.

Gallery

Financial Aid

Most students who attend South Puget Sound Community College receive some sort of financial aid, often in the form of state or federal assistance. Since the school is accredited, students can receive aid via the FAFSA, which should be completed as soon as possible after acceptance is confirmed. The South Puget Sound Community College Financial Aid Office is open weekdays with counselors ready to assist students who need help filling out their FAFSA forms. Counselors can also help students look for community-based scholarships, apply for other loans, and consider work-study options. With college quite the investment, it makes sense to get started as soon as you can sorting out your financial aid.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 5502nd for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Washington.

Students

For those students who long for a college that feels more a part of nature than a bustling metropolis, South Puget Sound Community College is an excellent choice. Located just a few minutes away from downtown Olympia by car, the campus is actually right in the middle of the woods, with lush greenery everywhere. More of Washington’s best camping and hiking trails are less than a half hour from campus, and the buildings are designed to blend right into the wilderness.

With over 7,000 students in total, South Puget Sound Community College is a medium-sized community college that serves not just the city, but also the surrounding counties. Students can take advantage of a number of on-campus resources outside of the classroom, including the ever-growing library, the school’s Clipper Cafe, and even Campus Child Care, which makes it possible for working parents to attend classes and not have to worry about childcare on top of everything else. Students can purchase all of their textbooks for class on-campus at the bookstore, and there is even on-campus free transportation between the parking area and campus, due to an influx of students driving to school and not enough space for parking.

Clubs and organizations are popular at South Puget Sound Community College, with a number of different ones to choose from depending on interest. One of the longest running student organizations is the school newspaper, The Sounds, which is available free on-campus and features coverage not just of events at school, but also events all over Washington.

Student Enrollment Demographics

Athletics

While students can choose from various club sports and clubs that might have an athletic focus, official sports teams are not a part of campus life at South Puget Sound Community College.

South Puget Sound Community College