Tacoma Community College
Tacoma Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Tacoma Community College at a Glance
Tacoma Community College (TCC) is a public community college in Tacoma, Washington with operations in Tacoma and Gig Harbor. It serves the city of Tacoma and the Pierce County portion of the Kitsap Peninsula.
1965
61 years old
Identity
Is Tacoma Community College Worth It?
Tacoma Community College offers moderate value at $8,376/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,168, which is 12% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 32% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Tacoma Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #88 of 269 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #6 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #88 | Tacoma Community College | 45 | $8,376 | $47,168 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Tacoma Community College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 24 in WA.
Best Programs at Tacoma Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Tacoma Community College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,376/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Tacoma, WA
- Student Body
- 4,668 students
- Graduation Rate
- 32%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,376
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,168
- Median Student Debt
- $13,000