Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Seattle, Washington
South Seattle College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$15,497Annual Cost
$44,486Grad Salary
9.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,802
Need-Based Aid
9.8% receive Pell
South Seattle College WA South Seattle College is highly regarded for transfer education, workforce development, and applied bachelor's degree opportunities. Students can begin affordable higher education while maintaining pathways to universities throughout Washington.\n\nPrograms in healthcare, business, aviation, culinary arts, STEM disciplines, and technical fields are particularly strong. The college's location in Seattle provides access to internships and major employers.
South Seattle College Acceptance Rate
South Seattle College (Seattle South) 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
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
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 Seattle South
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on South Seattle College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ 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.
South Seattle College (Seattle South) 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 Seattle South Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for South Seattle College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Seattle South
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Seattle South provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Check Seattle Promise Eligibility First, Before Anything Else
Seattle Promise provides free tuition (up to two years) at any of the three Seattle Colleges - South Seattle, North Seattle, or Seattle Central - for eligible Seattle Public Schools graduates, funded by the FEPP levy voters just renewed through 2032. This is a distinct, named program with its own application workshops (offered in February), separate from general financial aid - a Seattle Public Schools senior who skips the Seattle Promise application entirely and just applies for regular admission is leaving free tuition on the table.
Beat the Running Start Summer Gap
Running Start registration for Fall opens May 19, and South strongly recommends submitting enrollment paperwork before May 12 - because high school counselors, whose sign-off is required on the enrollment forms, are unavailable over the summer. A student who waits until August to finalize Running Start paperwork risks both missing HS-side approval and finding fall class sections already full once high school staff return. Front-load this in spring, not late summer.
Know the DSP Trap Before Self-Placing
South uses Directed Self Placement (DSP) instead of a proctored placement exam - students self-assess into English and Math courses using a 20?30 minute online tool. The catch: choosing ENGL& 101+ instead of ENGL& 101 adds an extra 5-credit co-requisite course (ENGL 99) the student may not need. Walk the student through the DSP tool's actual course descriptions before they self-select, since an overly cautious self-placement costs real credits and time.
Map Credits Toward the BAS Gate Early
South offers three Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees, including Sustainable Building Science & Technology - but full admission to the BAS requires an earned associate degree, and provisional acceptance requires being within 25 credits of one, with a hard requirement to finish the associate degree within the BAS program's first year. A student aiming at a BAS pathway needs their AAS credit count tracked precisely from the start, not discovered as a shortfall in year three.
Expert Insight:
On the admissions application, selecting "Undecided ? Academic" as a program of study automatically places a hold on the student's financial aid account until they declare a specific degree or certificate program with Advising and Financial Aid - a purely clerical choice on the application form that can quietly delay a financial aid disbursement for a student who genuinely doesn't know their major yet.
Seattle South Profile
Full Name
South Seattle College (Seattle South)
City
Seattle
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98106-1499
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Seattle South Degree Worth It?
Getting into Seattle South 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. Seattle South 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 Seattle South is $61,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.86%.
How much does a degree from Seattle South Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at South Seattle College is $15,497. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at South Seattle College is $6,802.
9.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 0.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Seattle South and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At South Seattle College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Seattle South as your choice in the form.
How much does a Seattle South Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $44,486. An average Seattle South 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 Seattle South
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by South Seattle College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle South Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $44,486 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $15,497 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Pell Grant data is not available for this institution. Contact the financial aid office directly to ask about need-based and merit-based aid options.
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.