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Highline College

Highline College

Des Moines, WA · Suburb · 3,838 students
WebsiteScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$9,879
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
37%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
35% typical
$47,869
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$40,669 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
About

Highline College, located on a scenic hilltop in Des Moines, Washington, overlooking Puget Sound, is nationally recognized for hosting one of the most diverse and multicultural student bodies in the United States. The college is highly regarded for its seamless transfer pathways to four-year universities and its pioneering Applied Bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields like Cybersecurity, Respiratory Care, and Youth Development. On campus, students experience a vibrant, supportive community enriched by active student clubs, leadership opportunities, and the unique convenience of modern on-campus housing. What truly sets Highline apart is this global campus environment—where over 120 languages are spoken—combined with affordable tuition and breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains.

Wikipedia:Highline College is a public community college in Des Moines, Washington. Highline was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County, Washington. The main campus covers 80 acres (320,000 m2). As of 2015, there were approximately 17,000 students and 350,000 alumni of the college.

Location
Des Moines, WA, 98198-9800 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SEA · Seattle
4 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$4,772$5,332
Housing & food (on campus)$15,228$15,228
Books & supplies$528$528
Cost of attendance$30,138$33,128
Average net price$9,879Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$5,332
In-state: $4,772
Housing & food (on campus)$15,228
Books & supplies$528
Cost of attendance$33,128
In-state: $30,138
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $9,879
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2025-26
Highline College’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$7,849
Housing$19,473
Books & supplies$582
Personal expenses$2,100
Transportation$3,069
Total published by the school$33,128
See how the in-state total ($30,138) is made up
How it’s made up · in-state, 2025-26
Highline College’s own figures for 2025-2026, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$4,914
Housing$19,473
Books & supplies$582
Personal expenses$2,100
Transportation$3,069
Total published by the school$30,138
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$8,984
$30–48k
$9,689
$48–75k
$11,209
$75–110k
$11,455
$110k+
$12,378
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
37%
Entered 2017–18
Transferred
19%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
36% graduated · 32% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 31% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$42,323
10 yrs after entry$47,869
Debt
Median at graduation$9,500
Monthly payment$101
Middle 50% owe$3k–$11.7k
90th percentile$18,500
Green marks a figure above the typical Baccalaureate/Associate's: 35% graduate within 6 yrs, $40,669 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions

No admissions data available for this college.

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Essay prompts

If Highline College asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 35%Women 65%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
13 : 1
Pell grant
19%
First-gen
50%
Family income
$18,708
Independent
52%
Veterans
1%
Age at entry
26.0
Part-time
48%
Race & ethnicity
White
15%
Hispanic
20%
Black
17%
Asian
15%
Two or more
7%
Non-resident
7%
NH/PI
1%
Unknown
16%
Varsity sports
NWAC · EADA 2024-25
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$42,323
After 10 yrs
$47,869
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management29
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services17
Social Work11
International Business11
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods8
Design and Applied Arts8
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Full-time faculty
95%
Faculty salary
$10,738/mo
Teaching spend
$10,033
per student
Federal loans
2%
Classification
Carnegie type
Baccalaureate/Associate's
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, mostly part-time

Wondering if Highline College is the right fit for you?

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