Clark College vs. Tacoma Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Clark College is larger than Tacoma Community College based on total student enrollment (7,463 students vs. 6,199 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark College is located in Vancouver, WA (Midsize City setting); Tacoma Community College is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Clark College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tacoma Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark College 12:1; Tacoma Community College 17:1.

Clark College vs. Tacoma Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark College 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 Clark College ($9,803 vs. $13,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Clark College and Tacoma Community College ($17,310).
• Tacoma Community College is 5.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clark College (about $274 more per year; $5,507.00 vs. $5,233.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at Tacoma Community College than at Clark College (about $463 more per year; $11,646.00 vs. $11,183.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark College than at Tacoma Community College (68% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tacoma Community College students is 10.2% larger than aid received by Clark College students ($7,308 vs. $6,632).

Clark College vs. Tacoma Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clark College 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 Clark College.

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

Clark College vs. Tacoma Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clark College 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 Tacoma Community College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Clark College graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,000 vs. $38,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Clark College graduates have a $268 lower median loan debt than Tacoma Community College graduates ($12,500 vs. $12,768).
• Among borrowers, Clark College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tacoma Community College graduates ($129 vs. $132).
• More Tacoma Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark College students, three years after graduation. (34% vs. 32%)

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.