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Highline College

Highline College

Des Moines, WA · Suburb · 3,838 students
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$9,879
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
37%
Graduation rate
35% typical
$47,869
Earnings 10 years on
$40,669 typical
Open admission
Acceptance rate
Accredited by Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
About

Highline College, situated on a scenic 80-acre campus overlooking Puget Sound in Des Moines, Washington, is widely recognized for its robust transfer pathways to four-year universities and a growing selection of applied bachelor’s degrees. Academically, the college is especially strong in nursing and allied health, cybersecurity, international business, and early childhood education. Campus life is shaped by one of the most culturally diverse student bodies in the state, offering an inclusive, commuter-friendly atmosphere supported by active student clubs and comprehensive support services. A distinctive feature of Highline is its nationally recognized commitment to equity and social justice, paired with close workforce partnerships across the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area that provide direct pathways into regional industries.


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
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
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
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
$0–30k
$8,984
$30–48k
$9,689
$48–75k
$11,209
$75–110k
$11,455
$110k+
$12,378
Grants from the school
16% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $1,575
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
37%
Transferred
19%
8 yrs after starting
36% graduated · 32% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 31% left or unknown
Earnings
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%
Where first-years come from
In state (WA)
98.0%
Out of state
1.8%
International
0.0%

Most out-of-state first-years from: OR 7 · CA 2 · AZ 1 · GA 1 · HI 1

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
  • 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
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?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

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