South Seattle College
- Graduation Rate
- 29% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $44,486 C+
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $6,004 A
- 65% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,616
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 38.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $38.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $38.3 over 20 years. Net gain: $896,503.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 29% — 49% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $38.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why South Seattle College Matters
South Seattle College is a public college in Seattle, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,616
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Mechanic & Repair Tech, Humanities, Precision Production, Business & Marketing
Why students choose South Seattle College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,004 a year after grants and scholarships — 65% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $44,486 ten years after enrolling — 9% above the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.51 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 1,616 students, South Seattle College is a solid choice for those looking to dive into practical fields like Mechanic & Repair Technology, Business & Marketing, and Culinary Arts. It’s particularly suited for individuals who want a hands-on education that can directly lead to careers in these areas. The school emphasizes accessible education, making it a good fit for students eager to gain skills that are immediately applicable in the job market.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $44,486 within ten years of completing their program. This figure gives us a sense of the economic prospects available, particularly for those who take advantage of programs that lead directly to employment. With a net price of $6,004 after financial aid, the school presents an affordable option for many, especially when considering the potential for upward mobility in various industries.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending South Seattle College, the cost of attendance is manageable. The low net price means that students are less likely to graduate with significant debt, which is crucial in today’s economy. Those who thrive here tend to be self-motivated and focused on gaining practical skills that lead to solid job opportunities. This community-oriented college is ideal for students who want to build a career without accruing heavy financial burdens.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective South Seattle College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Seattle College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Seattle, Washington, South Seattle College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
- Full-Time Faculty
- 99%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $10,627
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 32:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.86
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Seattle College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Seattle College is $5,796, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,004. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,744 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,238
- Out-of-State
- $5,796
- Avg Net Price
- $6,004
- Pell Grant Rate
- 10%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 4%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,744
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,758
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,276
- Family Income $110K+
- $10,615
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is South Seattle College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Seattle College report median earnings of $44,486, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,070
- 8 Years
- $47,576
- 10 Years
- $44,486
- Earning > $25K
- 59%
Earnings Trajectory
How South Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is South Seattle College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, South Seattle College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,004/year ($24,016 total). Graduates earn $44,486 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $920,519 in total earnings — a net gain of $896,503 (38.3× your investment).. With a 29% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $24,016
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $920,519
- Net Return
- $896,503
- ROI Multiple
- 38.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,004
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $7,106,044
- Federal Grants
- $5,868,017
- Investment Income
- $37,474
Top Programs
The fields South Seattle College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 49%
- Humanities 26%
- Precision Production 9%
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Culinary & Personal Services 3%
- Physical Sciences 2%
- Computer Science & IT 1%
- Engineering 0%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for South Seattle College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into South Seattle College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Seattle, Washington, South Seattle College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend South Seattle College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at South Seattle College is $5,796, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,004. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,744 after need-based grants.
Is South Seattle College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of South Seattle College report median earnings of $44,486, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is South Seattle College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Seattle College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to South Seattle College.
- Marion Technical CollegeMarion, OH · Close peer28% grad $41,495 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kent State University at TrumbullWarren, OH · Close peer30% grad $45,388 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Skagit Valley CollegeMount Vernon, WA · Close peer35% grad $43,505 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Bellingham Technical CollegeBellingham, WA · Close peer44% grad $49,748 earnWhy: similar size · similar net price · same state
- Northwestern Oklahoma State UniversityAlva, OK · Close peer33% grad $44,358 earn 65% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Western Wyoming Community CollegeRock Springs, WY · Close peer33% grad $40,939 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is South Seattle College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at South Seattle College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note