South Puget Sound Community College vs. YVCC

Comparable Facts

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

South Puget Sound Community College is larger than YVCC based on total student enrollment (4,871 students vs. 3,809 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Puget Sound Community College is located in Olympia, WA (Small City setting); Yakima Valley College is in Yakima, WA (Small City setting).
• South Puget Sound Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Yakima Valley College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South Puget Sound Community College 17:1; Yakima Valley College 15:1.

South Puget Sound Community College vs. YVCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Puget Sound Community College or YVCC? 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 South Puget Sound Community College than YVCC ($12,399 vs. $12,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Yakima Valley College are 48.4% lower than at South Puget Sound Community College ($8,928 vs. $17,310).
• Yakima Valley College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Puget Sound Community College (about $60 more per year; $5,312.00 vs. $5,252.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at YVCC than at South Puget Sound Community College (about $60 more per year; $5,873.00 vs. $5,813.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Yakima Valley College than at South Puget Sound Community College (80% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Yakima Valley College students is 23.3% larger than aid received by South Puget Sound Community College students ($7,971 vs. $6,465).

South Puget Sound Community College vs. YVCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Puget Sound Community College or YVCC? 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 YVCC and South Puget Sound Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Puget Sound Community College - Open admission; YVCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: YVCC Aug 12, 2027.

South Puget Sound Community College vs. YVCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Puget Sound Community College and YVCC? 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 South Puget Sound Community College earn a median of about $200 more per year than YVCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $35,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Puget Sound Community College graduates have a $3,334 lower median loan debt than YVCC graduates ($8,000 vs. $11,334).
• Among borrowers, South Puget Sound Community College graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than YVCC graduates ($82 vs. $117).
• More YVCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Puget Sound Community College students, three years after graduation. (44% 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.