Colleges in Tacoma, Washington
10 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 10 colleges and universities in Tacoma, Washington (4 Private for-profit, 3 Public, 3 Private nonprofit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 10 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $21,126 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 58.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 75% of applicants.
The median net price in Tacoma runs about $6,977 higher than the Washington statewide median of $14,149.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Tacoma, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$21,126
After aid
Median grad rate
58.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
75%
Median enrollment
1,142
Undergrad
All colleges in Tacoma
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma Community College Tacoma, WA | WA | Public, 4-year | $8,376 | 31.5% | Not available | 4,668 | Partial | |
| University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA | WA | Public, 4-year | $10,163 | 63.2% | 83% | 4,185 | Complete | |
| Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA | WA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $19,589 | 68.6% | 78% | 2,401 | Complete | |
| Bates Technical College Tacoma, WA | WA | Public, 4-year | $6,292 | 43.4% | Not available | 1,813 | Partial | |
| University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA | WA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $38,394 | 68.0% | 72% | 1,594 | Complete | |
| UEI College-Tacoma Tacoma, WA | WA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $36,850 | 58.2% | Not available | 689 | Partial | |
| Faith International University Tacoma, WA | WA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $22,662 | 25.0% | Not available | 276 | Complete | |
| Northwest College of Art & Design Tacoma, WA | WA | Private for-profit, 4-year | $16,418 | 57.7% | 66% | 139 | Complete | |
| Summit Salon Academy Tacoma, WA | WA | Private for-profit, 2-year | $25,471 | 58.6% | Not available | 138 | Partial | |
| BJ's Beauty & Barber College Tacoma, WA | WA | Private for-profit, <2-year | $33,770 | 71.4% | Not available | 40 | Partial |
By institution type
Private for-profit (4)
Private for-profit colleges in Tacoma operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- UEI College-TacomaNet price: $36,850Grad: 58.2%
- Northwest College of Art & DesignNet price: $16,418Grad: 57.7%
- Summit Salon AcademyNet price: $25,471Grad: 58.6%
- BJ's Beauty & Barber CollegeNet price: $33,770Grad: 71.4%
Public (3)
Public colleges in Tacoma are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Tacoma Community CollegeNet price: $8,376Grad: 31.5%
- University of Washington-Tacoma CampusNet price: $10,163Grad: 63.2%
- Bates Technical CollegeNet price: $6,292Grad: 43.4%
Private nonprofit (3)
Private nonprofit colleges in Tacoma are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Pacific Lutheran UniversityNet price: $19,589Grad: 68.6%
- University of Puget SoundNet price: $38,394Grad: 68.0%
- Faith International UniversityNet price: $22,662Grad: 25.0%
Top programs in Tacoma
Most-completed programs across Tacoma colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions19.2% of degrees
- Business16.3% of degrees
- Liberal arts9.3% of degrees
- Computer science8.9% of degrees
- Biological sciences4.5% of degrees
- Psychology4.4% of degrees
- Social sciences4.2% of degrees
- Mechanic & repair4.1% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Tacoma
Q.How many colleges are in Tacoma, Washington?
There are 10 colleges and universities in Tacoma, Washington that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 4 Private for-profit, 3 Public, 3 Private nonprofit.
Q.What is the largest college in Tacoma?
By undergraduate enrollment, Tacoma Community College is the largest institution in Tacoma with roughly 4,668 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Tacoma?
Based on average net price after aid, Bates Technical College is the most affordable institution in Tacoma at $6,292 per year.
Q.Which Tacoma college has the highest graduation rate?
BJ's Beauty & Barber College reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Tacoma institutions at 71.4%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Tacoma?
The median net price across all 10 colleges in Tacoma is $21,126 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Tacoma?
Across Tacoma colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Business, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Tacoma?
Yes — Tacoma includes 3 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Washington
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Tacoma that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.