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$4,197Tuition
3,263Students
34%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$43,169Earnings
Public4-yearData: 2023-24

About Olympic College

Olympic College serves the Puget Sound region as a full community college with growing four-year programs. The school enrolls 3,263 students in Bremerton, a small city across from Seattle. Olympic has built a reputation for workforce training and transfer preparation, particularly in nursing, engineering technology, and marine sciences. The college operates on a quarter system with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio.

Students pay an average net price of $7,755 after financial aid, making Olympic one of the more affordable options in Washington. In-state tuition runs just $4,197 annually. Graduates earn a median of $43,169 ten years after enrollment, while carrying typical debt loads of $12,000. The monthly loan payment averages $127, which represents a manageable burden given the earning potential. Only 16.45% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from working-class families seeking practical career training.

Nearly 98% of students come from Washington state, creating a tight-knit community feel. The Rangers compete in 11 varsity sports with 130 total athletes. The 32.6% four-year graduation rate reflects the college's mix of transfer students and working adults who attend part-time. With an 85.2% employment rate, Olympic delivers on its promise of career preparation.

Academics & Faculty

Olympic College serves as a full community college offering both transfer pathways and career-focused programs. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, students get reasonable access to instructors, though the 34% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family obligations. The college is particularly known for its nursing program, which feeds into the region's healthcare workforce, and its maritime training programs that connect to Bremerton's naval shipyard heritage. Students can complete associate degrees or certificates in fields like automotive technology and business administration. The quarter system allows for accelerated progress through coursework. Many students use Olympic as an affordable stepping stone to four-year universities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
19:1
Full-Time Faculty
97.2%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
32.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
34.0%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$43,169

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $69,338
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. Associate $64,706
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $61,651
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. Certificate $54,435
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. Certificate $47,260
Precision Metal Working. Associate $36,668
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. Associate $34,704
Accounting and Related Services. Associate $29,685
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Associate $28,960
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Associate $22,771

View all 66 programs →

Campus Life

The Olympic Peninsula's misty climate means you'll need a good rain jacket for most of the year, not just winter. With only 88 housing spots for 3,263 students, just 2.7% live on campus, making this primarily a commuter school. Most Rangers drive in from around the Puget Sound region, though 97.53% of students are Washington residents.

Bremerton sits about an hour west of Seattle by ferry, giving you access to both Olympic National Park's hiking trails and the city's music scene. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class sizes typical of community colleges focused on transfer preparation and workforce training. With 130 athletes competing in 11 varsity sports, the Rangers maintain a modest athletic presence. Weekends often involve outdoor activities like kayaking in the sound or exploring nearby forests. The quarter system keeps pace quick, and many students work part-time jobs in the naval shipyard or local businesses. The campus culture revolves around practical education and getting students ready for four-year transfers or immediate career entry.
Setting
City-Small
Housing Capacity
88 beds
Calendar System
Quarter

Campus Safety (2023)

9 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 0 0 0
Burglary 4 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
35°–46°F
July Avg
54°–75°F
Annual Precipitation
56.4"
Annual Snowfall
3.5"

Student Demographics

Olympic College draws overwhelmingly from Washington state, with 98% of students staying close to home. The school serves as an affordable pathway for local families, though only 16% qualify for Pell Grants. Women make up 58% of enrollment, reflecting strong programs in nursing and healthcare that attract female students. The diverse student body includes significant Hispanic and Asian populations alongside white students. Most students work while attending classes on the quarter system. The Rangers compete in 11 varsity sports with 130 total athletes.
Men
42.2%
Women
57.8%
White
46.0%
Black
3.6%
Hispanic
13.2%
Asian
6.9%
In-State Students
97.5%
Pell Grant Recipients
16.5%

Location

Olympic College sits in Bremerton, Washington, across Puget Sound from Seattle. The campus is located about 60 miles west of Seattle by ferry and road. Bremerton serves as a major naval port, home to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and several Navy bases. The city offers waterfront views and outdoor recreation opportunities typical of the Pacific Northwest. With 97.53% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from the local Kitsap Peninsula community. The small city setting provides a more intimate environment than urban campuses while maintaining access to Seattle's job market. Students considering colleges in Washington may also compare Olympic College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Bremerton, Washington 98337-1699

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$43,169
Median Earnings (5 years)
$54,056
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$29,800
Loan Repayment Rate
37.9%
Monthly Loan Payment
$127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Olympic College?

Olympic College operates as an open-admission community college, meaning they accept all students who meet basic requirements. With 3,263 students enrolled and 97.53% coming from Washington state, the school serves primarily local students seeking affordable higher education options. The Rangers focus on providing accessible pathways to four-year degrees and career training.

How much does Olympic College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $7,755 annually, with in-state tuition at just $4,197. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay only $5,352 net price, while those earning $30,000-$48,000 pay $6,386. The school is known for keeping education affordable with relatively low debt loads averaging $12,000.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Olympic College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 19:1, typical for a community college setting. Olympic College operates on a quarter system, allowing students to complete courses more quickly than traditional semester schools. The college emphasizes practical, hands-on learning in programs designed for both transfer and workforce preparation.

What are the graduation outcomes at Olympic College?

The six-year graduation rate is 34%, while the four-year rate reaches 32.6%. Graduates earn a median of $43,169 ten years after enrollment, with strong employment rates at 85.2%. Olympic College specializes in career-focused programs that prepare students for Washington's maritime, healthcare, and technical industries.

Does Olympic College have on-campus housing?

Housing capacity is extremely limited at just 88 beds, with room and board costing $10,500. The small-city Bremerton location means most of the 3,263 students commute from the surrounding Puget Sound region. Olympic College functions primarily as a commuter school serving local workforce development needs.

How many varsity sports does Olympic College offer?

The Rangers compete in 11 varsity sports with 130 total athletes participating. Athletic scholarships total $97,192 across all programs, reflecting the school's commitment to student-athlete support. Olympic College athletics provide opportunities for students to compete while pursuing associate degrees or preparing to transfer to four-year institutions.