South Puget Sound Community College | Field Guide 2026

Dr. Timothy S. Stokes

  • Judith L. Hartmann, chair
  • Doug Mah, vice chair
  • Rozanne Garman
  • Steven J. Drew
  • Mark Brown

1962

Thurston County

2, 20, 22, 35

South Puget Sound Community College logo

Recognized as a top three community college in the U.S. by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, SPSCC serves around 8,000 students each year. The college serves people from all backgrounds and meets them where they are, connecting them to Pathways and classes to reach their goals. Whether that’s landing a new job, learning a new skill, earning a degree, or transferring to a university, SPSCC is dedicated to helping students on their journey toward an amplified future.

Key Facts

  • AA/AS Direct Transfer Degrees
  • Professional Technical Programs
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages
  • High School+
  • Cybersecurity & Network Administration

  • Headcount (all sources): 8,665
  • FTES (all sources): 4,806
  • Headcount (state-funded): 6,096
  • FTES (state-funded): 3,220

  • I-BEST: 1,015
  • International: 138
  • Running Start: 1,687
  • Worker Retraining: 66

Student Profile

  • Academic/transfer: 57%
  • Basic skills: 12%
  • Workforce education: 17%
  • Other: 13%

Students of color: 42%

  • American Indian/Alaska Native: 6%
  • Asian: 13%
  • Black/African American: 10%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 16%
  • Pacific Islander: 3%
  • White: 67%

  • Full-time: 54%
  • Part-time: 46%

  • Students receiving need-based financial aid: 34%
  • Students with dependents: 32%

  • Female: 4,650
  • Male: 3,149
  • X: 88
  • Not reported: 778

24

Points of Interest

In 2025, SPSCC launched its Residential Construction Academy, a hands-on training program designed to meet the region’s growing demand for skilled construction professionals. Located at the Lacey Campus, the academy equips students with practical experience and industry-aligned skills to enter high-demand careers in residential building. The goal of the academy is to address workforce shortages, support economic growth, and create pathways for students to secure stable, well-paying jobs that strengthen the local housing industry and community.

SPSCC was named a Finalist with Distinction for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, earning a $100,000 award. The Aspen Institute recognized SPSCC for outstanding workforce and transfer practices, including expanding clinical placements to graduate more nurses and partnering with employers to raise wages. The college also shortened program lengths to boost value and maintain graduation rates well above the national average. The prize will fund an endowment for emergency student grants through the SPSCC Foundation, helping students stay enrolled and graduate.

The Evergreen State College and SPSCC have launched a new transfer program to help SPSCC students earning associate degrees in science or business continue at Evergreen in Environmental Science and Sustainability, Biology and Chemistry for Health Fields, and Business Innovation and Leadership. The program offers a barrier-free admissions process—no fees, essays, or recommendations—plus rolling admissions, priority registration, dedicated orientation, financial aid guidance, and personalized advising.

Data is from the 2024-25 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

*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.

**Excluding Running Start.