South Puget Sound Community College | Field Guide 2024

South Puget Sound Community College logo

Recognized as a top 10 best community college in the US by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, SPSCC amplifies student success by offering transfer options to four-year institutions, professional and technical programs, and short-term degree and certificate programs so students can advance their career or education goals.

Key Facts

Highest Enrolled Programs

AA/AS Direct Transfer degrees
Professional-Technical programs
High School+
Cybersecurity and Network Administration
Basic Skills

Enrollment

Headcount (all sources): 7,598
FTES (all sources): 3,793
Headcount (state-funded): 5,312
FTES (state-funded): 2,546

Students in Selected Programs

I-BEST: 634
International: 101
Running Start: 1,319
Worker Retraining: 142

Student Profile

Type of Student

Academic/transfer: 49%
Basic skills: 12%
Workforce education: 20%
Other: 18%

Race/Ethnicity*

Students of color: 44%

American Indian/Alaska Native: 6%
Asian: 14%
Black/African American: 9%
Hispanic/Latino: 17%
Pacific Islander: 3%
White: 73%

Attendance

Full-time: 48%
Part-time: 52%

Family and Finances

Students receiving need-based financial aid: 45%
Students with dependents: 32%

Gender

Female: 61%
Male: 39%
X: 1%

Median age

Points of Interest

Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

In fall 2023, SPSCC’s Cybersecurity and Network Administration (CNA) degree was designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency (NSA). With this designation, the NSA has publicly recognized SPSCC’s commitment to academic excellence, community outreach, and leadership in professional development. The college’s CNA program is committed to providing students access to a broad spectrum of high-demand, high-wage career opportunities at both the regional and national level while keeping up with the rapidly-changing IT security and networking industry.

Recognized by Aspen Institute

SPSCC has been recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 community colleges by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and is committed to providing equitable outcomes for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. The A. Barbara Clarkson Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Center supports the college in advancing equity and embracing diversity through programs such as IGNITE that offer mentorship, community, and support services to students who are low income, students of color, students with a disability, and students whose parents did not go to college.

A variety of sports and recreation opportunities

SPSCC Clipper Athletics compete in the Northwest Athletic Conference Western Region for Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, and, as of fall 2023, Men’s and Women’s Golf. These programs greatly contribute to the academic success of our student-athletes while giving them an opportunity to build experience in highly-skilled, competitive intercollegiate sports. Students also have the opportunity to get involved in a variety of clubs, intramural sports, and eSports. Clipper eSports competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association and serves as an introduction to the world of competitive gaming, helping student-athletes develop professional pathways through education, coaching, and practice.

Data is from the 2022-23 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted.

*Students of color percent based on unduplicated headcount. Students may be counted in more than one race, so race/ethnicity percentages may not total 100%. Percentages calculated on reported value.

Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.