Renton Technical College vs. South Puget Sound Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Renton Technical College in Renton, WA with South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Puget Sound Community College is larger than Renton Technical College based on total student enrollment (4,871 students vs. 2,824 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Renton Technical College is located in Renton, WA (Small City setting); South Puget Sound Community College is in Olympia, WA (Small City setting).
• Renton Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. South Puget Sound Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Renton Technical College 19:1; South Puget Sound Community College 17:1.

Renton Technical College vs. South Puget Sound Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Renton Technical College or South Puget Sound Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Renton Technical College than South Puget Sound Community College ($9,656 vs. $12,399).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Renton Technical College and South Puget Sound Community College ($17,310).
• Renton Technical College is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Puget Sound Community College (about $1,056 more per year; $6,308.00 vs. $5,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at Renton Technical College than at South Puget Sound Community College (about $1,556 more per year; $7,369.00 vs. $5,813.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Renton Technical College than at South Puget Sound Community College (69% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Renton Technical College students is 16.9% larger than aid received by South Puget Sound Community College students ($7,560 vs. $6,465).

Renton Technical College vs. South Puget Sound Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Renton Technical College or South Puget Sound Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Puget Sound Community College and Renton Technical College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Renton Technical College - Open admission; South Puget Sound Community College - Open admission.

Renton Technical College vs. South Puget Sound Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Renton Technical College and South Puget Sound Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Renton Technical College earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than South Puget Sound Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,500 vs. $35,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Puget Sound Community College graduates have a $580 lower median loan debt than Renton Technical College graduates ($8,000 vs. $8,580).
• Among borrowers, South Puget Sound Community College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Renton Technical College graduates ($82 vs. $88).
• More Renton Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Puget Sound Community College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 38%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.