Colleges Near Tacoma, Washington
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Tacoma? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 20 miles of Tacoma, Washington.
There are at least 14 colleges serving the area, including 6 private colleges and universities, 1 public college or university, and 6 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Tacoma, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Tacoma, Washington Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Tacoma, Washington have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 9,559 doctorates at colleges and universities near Tacoma. That was a decrease of 4% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2022
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Tacoma, Washington
There are at least 6 schools offering degrees near Tacoma, Washington, and 6 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 8,905 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2022, a total of 3,378 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 1,897 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Tacoma, Washington area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2022, 1,011 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,444
Completions By Degree
1,820
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northwest College of Art & Design is an institutionally accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Northwest College of Art & Design. In 2022, 19 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
103
Completions By Degree
19
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pacific Lutheran University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Pacific Lutheran University. In 2022, 616 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 148 master's degrees, and 19 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,331
Completions By Degree
783
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Faith International University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Faith International University. In 2022, 34 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 33 master's degrees, and 7 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
139
Completions By Degree
74
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Phoenix-Washington is a non-accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Phoenix-Washington. In 2022, 17 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 1 master's degree, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
22
Completions By Degree
18
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Puget Sound is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Puget Sound. In 2022, 534 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 95 master's degrees, and 35 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,866
Completions By Degree
664
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Tacoma, Washington
There is 1 four-year public college located near Tacoma, Washington. About 4,313 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 1,859 degrees were completed at public colleges near Tacoma. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus. In 2022, 1,489 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 369 master's degrees, and 1 doctoral degree were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,313
Completions By Degree
1,859
Est. Online Degree Availability
5%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Tacoma, Washington
There are 6 community colleges near Tacoma, Washington where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2022, about 23,823 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Tacoma, and about 6,082 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Clover Park Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,184
Completions By Degree
479
Est. Online Degree Availability
3%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pierce College District is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,407
Completions By Degree
1,751
Est. Online Degree Availability
84%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Highline College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,254
Completions By Degree
994
Est. Online Degree Availability
2%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bates Technical College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
703
Completions By Degree
255
Est. Online Degree Availability
9%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Green River College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,330
Completions By Degree
1,511
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Tacoma Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,945
Completions By Degree
1,092
Est. Online Degree Availability
2%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Tacoma, Washington
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Tacoma, Washington? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Tacoma-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $27,384. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Tacoma is $18,100, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is $5,036.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Tacoma, Washington
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Tacoma, Washington is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Tacoma, Washington here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Faith International University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Washington-Tacoma Campus
- Clover Park Technical College
- Pierce College District
- Highline College
- Bates Technical College
- Green River College
- Tacoma Community College
- Northwest College of Art & Design
Tacoma, Washington Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Tacoma? What's the Tacoma, Washington job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2022, there were about 2,353,545 jobs in the Tacoma, Washington area. From 2021-2022, job growth in Tacoma was above the national average, at 4.1%. There were 296,402 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Tacoma do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $27.26.