Business/Commerce at South Puget Sound Community College

Washington's community colleges typically produce stronger business outcomes than the national average, but South Puget Sound's estimated first-year earnings of $36,591 trail both the state median of $40,588 and nearby competitors like Tacoma Community College ($40,863). That $4,000 gap matters when you're carrying $13,570 in debt—it's the difference between comfortable monthly payments and feeling stretched.

The silver lining appears four years out, when median earnings reach $49,893. That's solid growth and suggests graduates who stick with business careers do build momentum. At a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37, the financial burden is manageable compared to many programs, though it's worth noting nearby Clark College and Tacoma CC achieve similar outcomes with slightly less debt (the state median is $11,500).

The critical unknown here is whether South Puget Sound's actual outcomes match these national estimates or align more closely with Washington's stronger state performance. Given that peer programs in the state consistently outperform national figures, there's reason to hope this program does better than the estimates suggest. But until the school enrolls enough graduates to generate reportable data, you're making this decision somewhat blind. If your child has offers from Tacoma or Clark, those programs offer more transparency and slightly better demonstrated outcomes.