South Seattle Community college

What South Seattle Community college does

South Seattle Community College (legally operating as South Seattle College) is a public two-year community college founded in 1972 and located in West Seattle, Washington, operating as part of Seattle Colleges District VI under the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. The institution serves a diverse student population — over 50% students of color, with 34+ first languages spoken on campus — across transfer, career-technical, adult basic education, ESL, Running Start, continuing education, and bachelor's-degree pathways. It delivers instruction across four sites: the main West Seattle campus at 6000 16th Avenue SW, the Georgetown Campus (Apprenticeship & Education Center, Labor Education & Research Center), the NewHolly Learning Center in the Rainier Valley, and the Harbor Island Training Center embedded inside the Vigor Industrial shipyard.

The college's core product portfolio spans certificate programs, associate degrees, and applied bachelor's degrees (notably the BAS in Sustainable Building Science Technology — the first such degree in Washington State). Flagship technical offerings include the WABO-accredited Welding Fabrication Technology associate degree, a six-month Maritime Shipyard Welding certificate delivered inside an active shipyard, Landscape Horticulture programs supported by a 6-acre arboretum and retail garden center, Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, College Transfer pathways, and Continuing Education. The curriculum runs on standard educational technology infrastructure — Canvas learning management system and the ctcLink student information system — with specialty lab and physical-asset infrastructure (WABO testing facility, WSDA-authorized research plot, LEED Gold Cascade Hall with 72kW PV) underpinning program delivery.

Revenue mechanics are public-sector in nature: tuition and mandatory fees set at state-determined rates materially below four-year institutions, supplemented by Washington State operational allocations, federal financial aid (Pell Grants, work-study, loans routed through students), workforce-education grants (BFET, WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, Opportunity Grant), and NSF/WSDA/USDA grant funding for specific programs. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through in-person admissions, the Welcome Center, information sessions, campus tours, multi-channel social media, and community partnerships; pricing follows a quarterly billing cadence with financial aid and a Benefits Hub (United Way/AmeriCorps) reducing student cost friction. The college maintains a 17:1 student-faculty ratio and reports an average $4,000 in financial aid per student per year.

Name

South Seattle Community college

Legal name

South Seattle College

Website

https://southseattle.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

South Seattle College is a public community college in Seattle, Washington, part of Seattle Colleges District VI, offering certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees across skilled trades (including shipyard-based welding), landscape horticulture, and transfer pathways to a diverse student body.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE), Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Career technical training
• Workforce development programs
• College transfer degrees
• Welding certification training

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: South Seattle College generates revenue through tuition and mandatory fees charged to students. As a public community college, tuition rates are set by Washington State and are significantly lower than four-year institutions.
2. State Funding: Public community colleges receive operational funding from Washington State government allocations based on enrollment and performance metrics.
3. Federal Financial Aid: Students receive federal student aid including Pell Grants, work-study, and student loans through the federal financial aid program.
4. Workforce Education Grants: Programs like BFET (Basic Food Employment and Training), WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, and Opportunity Grant provide funding for eligible students in workforce programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

South Seattle College is a public community college providing affordable higher education pathways including college transfer degrees (Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, science transfers), professional-technical certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's of applied science degrees, apprenticeships, continuing education, and workforce training. Career-technical programs span skilled trades (welding, maritime shipyard welding, automotive, diesel), landscape horticulture, culinary arts, healthcare, and business, with specialized facilities including a WABO-accredited welding testing center, a shipyard-based classroom, and a 6-acre arboretum used as a teaching laboratory.

Product overview

South Seattle College is a community college offering a diverse portfolio of educational programs and services across multiple delivery formats. The institution provides certificate programs, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees (BAS) across areas including skilled trades (welding, maritime shipyard welding, automotive, diesel), landscape horticulture, culinary arts, healthcare, business, and transfer pathways. Key programs include the WABO-accredited Welding Fabrication Technology associate degree, the Vigor Industrial-partnered Maritime Shipyard Welding certificate (offered at a working shipyard), the Sustainable Building Science Technology BAS (the first such degree in Washington state), and the Landscape Horticulture program with its on-campus arboretum and retail garden center. The college also offers apprenticeship programs at its Georgetown Campus, continuing education, and workforce development services including WABO welder certification testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maritime Shipyard Welding Certificate Program A six-month intensive certificate program offered in partnership with Vigor Industrial, providing hands-on training in marine welding, safety, and diagnostics at the Harbor Island Training Center located inside a working shipyard. Graduates are prepared for shipyard welding and fitting positions with a starting wage of $34/hour plus benefits.
• Welding Fabrication Technology Associate Degree A WABO-accredited two-year associate degree program training students in blueprint reading, layout, cutting, fitting, and advanced welding techniques. Includes certification preparation and computer-controlled machinery training, preparing graduates for careers in welding fabrication, boat building, automotive, machine fabrication, and construction.
• Landscape Horticulture Program A program combining classroom learning with hands-on projects in a 6-acre arboretum, greenhouse facilities, and retail garden center. Offers training in garden design, irrigation, pruning, plant production, and plant identification, with certificate, AAS, and AAS-Transfer degree options.
• Sustainable Building Science Technology (BAS) Bachelor's Degree The first Bachelor of Applied Science degree focused on sustainable building science technology in Washington State, unique within the Pacific Northwest region. Developed with NSF grant funding, the program expands STEM career pathways in collaboration with education, industry, and community partners.
• WABO Welder Certification Testing Services Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO) welder certification testing services offered at South Seattle College. Tests available for GMAW, FCAW-G, SMAW, GTAW welding processes, including plate and pipe certifications, and D1.8 seismic certification.
• Garden Center (Retail Horticulture Service) A retail garden center operated by Landscape Horticulture students providing real-world retail experience. Students select, propagate, grow, and present plants for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Landscape Horticulture Program.
• Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs offered at the Georgetown Campus, including partnerships with industry for workforce development in skilled trades.
• College Transfer Programs College transfer degree programs designed for students planning to transfer to four-year colleges or universities, including Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, and science transfer pathways.
• Continuing Education Programs Continuing education offerings for professional development, skill updates, and lifelong learning opportunities for working professionals and community members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Graduates are job-ready for shipyard welding and fitting positions with starting wage of $34/hour plus benefits
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Energy Labs (CEL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025CEL partnered with South Seattle College to create training pathways for technicians in HVAC, controls, and building data systems as part of a USDA-funded project to retrofit rural schools with energy-efficient HVAC controls.
• Bonneville Environmental FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025Partnered with CEL and South Seattle College to address workforce challenges in rural school energy efficiency improvements, contributing training pathways for technicians.
• Gray's Harbor CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2025Partnered with South Seattle College alongside CEL to create training pathways for technicians in HVAC, controls, and building data systems for rural school energy upgrades.
• Vigor IndustrialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Vigor Industrial to operate the Harbor Island Training Center, a classroom inside a working shipyard. In just six months, industry professionals prepare students with certifications and hands-on skills in marine welding, safety, and diagnostics. Ed Richardson, Operations Manager at Vigor Harbor Island, stated this is an important pipeline for future workforce needs.
• United Way of King CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with United Way of King County to operate Benefits Hub at South Seattle College, helping students access public benefits including food assistance, housing support, and emergency grants. United Way provides Benefits Hub coaches and grant funding.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps partners with South Seattle College to support the Benefits Hub program and student emergency resources, providing volunteer workforce and funding assistance.
• Neighborhood HousecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization supporting South's Benefits Hub program, providing housing support specialists to help students with move-in costs and housing applications.
• Sound OutreachminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner organization participating in Benefits Hub network to help connect students with resources.
• WithinReachminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner organization in Benefits Hub network providing resource connections for students.
• West Seattle Food BankminorOthersCommunity food bank partner located 2 miles from college, supporting food pantry operations and food security for students.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWSDA provided grant funding for the Pacific Northwest Mahonia Evaluation Project, a 6-year research trial evaluating landscape value of about 90 species and cultivars of Mahonia plants.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Highline College: Public community college in Des Moines, WA (South King County) serving a similar demographic to South Seattle College. Offers parallel transfer, CTE, and ESL programs in adjacent geography.
• Edmonds College: Public community college north of Seattle offering transfer degrees, professional-technical programs, and continuing education. Overlaps directly with South Seattle College in program categories and funding structure.
• Lake Washington Institute of Technology: Public technical college east of Seattle offering associate degrees and certificates in applied technology, healthcare, and business. Comparable in mission, funding source, and program categories to South Seattle College.
• Renton Technical College: Washington State technical college focused on skilled trades, apprenticeships, and CTE programs in the greater Seattle region. Direct competitor for welding, technical, and workforce education students.
• Pierce College: Washington State community college with two campuses serving similar transfer, CTE, and adult learner populations in the Puget Sound region. Comparable public community college funding model and program mix.
• Clover Park Technical College: Public technical college in Lakewood, WA providing career training, apprenticeships, and associate degrees. Competes with South Seattle College for state CTE funding and applied-technology students.
• Bellingham Technical College: Washington State technical college offering associate degrees and certificates in skilled trades, healthcare, and business. Comparable in program mix and public-community-college funding model, with overlapping CTE emphasis.
• Seattle Central College: Sister college within Seattle Colleges District VI, offering similar associate degrees, transfer pathways, and professional-technical programs to overlapping Seattle student populations. Directly comparable public community college operating under the same district governance.
• Bates Technical College: Washington State technical college in Tacoma focused on skilled trades and apprenticeship programs. Directly comparable on the CTE/apprenticeship side of South Seattle College's portfolio.
• North Seattle College: Third member of Seattle Colleges District VI, providing parallel community college programs in the Seattle metro. Shares funding, governance, and student market with South Seattle College and competes directly for the same applicant pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/southseattlecc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/southseattlecc
• Facebookfacebook.com/308661686010
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/south-seattle-community-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/southseattlecollege
• TikToktiktok.com/@southseattlecollege

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about South Seattle Community college