Renton Technical College vs. Tacoma Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Renton Technical College in Renton, 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 Renton Technical College based on total student enrollment (6,199 students vs. 2,824 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Renton Technical College is located in Renton, WA (Small City setting); Tacoma Community College is in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting).
• Renton Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tacoma Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Renton Technical College 19:1; Tacoma Community College 17:1.

Renton Technical College vs. Tacoma Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Renton Technical 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 Renton Technical College than Tacoma Community College ($9,656 vs. $9,803).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Renton Technical College and Tacoma Community College ($17,310).
• Renton Technical College is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tacoma Community College (about $801 more per year; $6,308.00 vs. $5,507.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58% higher at Tacoma Community College than at Renton Technical College (about $4,277 more per year; $11,646.00 vs. $7,369.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Renton Technical College than at Tacoma Community College (69% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Renton Technical College students is 3.4% larger than aid received by Tacoma Community College students ($7,560 vs. $7,308).

Renton Technical College vs. Tacoma Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Renton Technical 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 Renton Technical College.

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

Renton Technical College vs. Tacoma Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Renton Technical 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 Renton Technical College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Tacoma Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,500 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Renton Technical College graduates have a $4,188 lower median loan debt than Tacoma Community College graduates ($8,580 vs. $12,768).
• Among borrowers, Renton Technical College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tacoma Community College graduates ($88 vs. $132).
• More Renton Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tacoma Community College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 34%)

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.