NSCC vs. Tacoma Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare North Seattle College in Seattle, WA with Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tacoma Community College is larger than NSCC based on total student enrollment (6,199 students vs. 5,569 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Seattle College is located in Seattle, WA (Large City setting); Tacoma Community College is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• North Seattle College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tacoma Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Seattle College 18:1; Tacoma Community College 17:1.

NSCC vs. Tacoma Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSCC or Tacoma Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Tacoma Community College than NSCC ($9,803 vs. $12,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tacoma Community College are 9.1% lower than at North Seattle College ($17,310 vs. $19,041).
• Tacoma Community College is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than NSCC (about $269 more per year; $5,507.00 vs. $5,238.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 100.9% higher at Tacoma Community College than at North Seattle College (about $5,850 more per year; $11,646.00 vs. $5,796.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tacoma Community College than at North Seattle College (55% vs. 44%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tacoma Community College students is 5.7% larger than aid received by North Seattle College students ($7,308 vs. $6,915).

NSCC vs. Tacoma Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSCC or Tacoma Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Tacoma Community College and NSCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSCC - Open admission; Tacoma Community College - Open admission.

NSCC vs. Tacoma Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSCC and Tacoma Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from North Seattle College earn a median of about $3,700 more per year than Tacoma Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,700 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Seattle College graduates have a $2,771 lower median loan debt than Tacoma Community College graduates ($9,997 vs. $12,768).
• Among borrowers, NSCC graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tacoma Community College graduates ($103 vs. $132).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.