Olympic College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Olympic College serves Washington's Kitsap Peninsula from campuses in Bremerton, Poulsbo, and Shelton. Established in 1946, the college has grown into a comprehensive institution offering 100+ degree and certificate programs to over 7,000 students annually. The 33-acre Bremerton campus features the 'Haselwood Library,' the 'College Instruction Center' with nursing labs, and the 'William D. Harvey Theater.'
Olympic College excels in career-focused programs like welding, cybersecurity, and maritime technology that support regional employers like Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The college's 'Bachelor of Science in Nursing' program addresses critical workforce needs. Olympic maintains strong transfer pathways to University of Washington through its 'Direct Transfer Agreement.' The college's 'Veterans Services' center serves a large military-connected population. Olympic's commitment to sustainability includes the 'Hood Canal Environmental Education Center' for marine studies.
Olympic College Acceptance Rate
Olympic College (OC) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at OC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Olympic College's verified institutional data
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Olympic College (OC) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into OC Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for OC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
OC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Olympic College's ADN factoring system awards points for completing specific additional courses (including NURSE 151/152) with a 2.0 or higher - 2.2 or higher specifically for the nursing-prefixed courses - even though these aren't required for basic application eligibility. Complete at least one of these point-eligible courses before the March 31 deadline rather than stopping at the bare minimum prerequisites, since the program is explicit that these are "awarded factor points," not pass/fail eligibility checks.
Olympic College requires a minimum score of 260 on the Reading Comprehension section of the Next-Generation Accuplacer for ADN eligibility, and the program's own documentation flags that reading scores are treated distinctly from other placement sections. Take the Accuplacer with enough lead time before your intended application cycle to allow for a retake if you fall short, since a single missed reading threshold can disqualify an otherwise complete application regardless of your other prerequisites.
Olympic College explicitly allows eligible applicants who are not admitted to use a "rollover point" one time on a subsequent application, and if no additional coursework was completed, you don't even need to resubmit official transcripts. Confirm your rollover eligibility with the Healthcare Division (360-475-7206) immediately after a non-admit decision, since this single mechanism can meaningfully change your rank in your very next application cycle without redoing your entire file.
Olympic College has allowed students to substitute CHEM& 131 for a prerequisite chemistry course during the 2024-2025 academic year - a time-bound accommodation, not necessarily a permanent policy. Confirm directly with Olympic's Healthcare Division whether this substitution still applies for your specific application cycle before building your prerequisite plan around it, since accommodations tied to a specific academic year can expire or change without carrying forward automatically.
Because Olympic College's overall acceptance rate is effectively 100%, applicants sometimes assume the ADN program follows the same logic - it explicitly does not. Olympic states plainly that "admission to Olympic College does not guarantee admission to the Nursing (RN) ADN Program," which admits only up to 90 students per year (fall quarter only) through a competitive factoring system; being a fully eligible, prerequisite-complete applicant does not equal a guaranteed seat, and admission is granted for a specific cohort year only - students who don't enter for that specific year must reapply.
OC Profile
Is a OC Degree Worth It?
Getting into OC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. OC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at OC is $61,000 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.94%.
How much does a degree from OC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Olympic College is $15,380. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Olympic College is $7,755.
16.5% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 4.3 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to OC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Olympic College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist OC as your choice in the form.
How much does a OC Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $43,169. An average OC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at OC
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Olympic College →
Frequently Asked Questions About OC Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $43,169 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $15,380 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
16.5% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
