Head-to-head · 2026
South Puget Sound Community College vs Tacoma Community College
Compare average net price ($9,132 at South Puget Sound Community College; $8,376 at Tacoma Community College), ROI score (12.33 vs 14.08), ten-year median earnings ($45,039 vs $47,168), and admissions context (Open / not reported at South Puget Sound Community College; Open / not reported at Tacoma Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. Tacoma Community College has a narrow 3-2 metric-level edge. Tacoma Community College has the stronger ROI signal here, though the final choice should still account for aid, major and campus fit.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | South Puget Sound Community College | Tacoma Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 12.33 | 14.08 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $9,132 | $8,376 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $45,039 | $47,168 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 43.7% ✓ | 31.5% |
| Median debt | $11,000 ✓ | $13,000 |
| Enrollment | 3,075 | 4,668 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
South Puget Sound Community College costs $756 more per year than Tacoma Community College ($9,132 vs $8,376). Tacoma Community College graduates report $2,129 higher median earnings after ten years ($47,168 vs $45,039). On EduGradify's model that puts Tacoma Community College ahead on projected ROI (14.08 vs 12.33, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Tacoma Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
South Puget Sound Community College vs Tacoma Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is South Puget Sound Community College or Tacoma Community College the better value?
Tacoma Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (14.08 vs 12.33), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Tacoma Community College is cheaper — average net price $8,376 per year vs $9,132 at South Puget Sound Community College. The annual difference of $756 adds up to about $3,024 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Tacoma Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $47,168 vs $45,039 at South Puget Sound Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $2,129.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. South Puget Sound Community College reports a A value grade; Tacoma Community College reports A.