Tacoma Community College vs. Cascadia College

Comparable Facts

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

Tacoma Community College is larger than Cascadia College based on total student enrollment (6,199 students vs. 2,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tacoma Community College is located in Tacoma, WA (Midsize City setting); Cascadia College is in Bothell, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Tacoma Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Cascadia College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tacoma Community College 17:1; Cascadia College 13:1.

Tacoma Community College vs. Cascadia College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Tacoma Community College or Cascadia 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 Cascadia College ($9,803 vs. $13,782).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Tacoma Community College and Cascadia College ($17,310).
• Tacoma Community College is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cascadia College (about $350 more per year; $5,507.00 vs. $5,157.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at Tacoma Community College than at Cascadia College (about $350 more per year; $11,646.00 vs. $11,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tacoma Community College than at Cascadia College (55% vs. 36%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cascadia College students is 16.4% larger than aid received by Tacoma Community College students ($8,505 vs. $7,308).

Tacoma Community College vs. Cascadia College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Tacoma Community College or Cascadia 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 Cascadia College and Tacoma Community College.

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

Tacoma Community College vs. Cascadia College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Tacoma Community College and Cascadia 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 Cascadia College earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Tacoma Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cascadia College graduates have a $4,176 lower median loan debt than Tacoma Community College graduates ($8,592 vs. $12,768).
• Among borrowers, Cascadia College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tacoma Community College graduates ($88 vs. $132).
• More Cascadia College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tacoma Community College students, three years after graduation. (48% 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.