
Renton Technical College | Field Guide 2021
Renton Technical College’s short- and long-term career training programs prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers in manufacturing, health care, automotive, information technology, business and culinary arts.
Whether they want to advance their careers, get transfer credits, earn their high school diplomas, or take college preparatory classes, students find their place at Renton Technical College. RTC provides small classes, student support, hands-on training and flexible course options in an inclusive environment. Renton Technical College meets students where they are and helps move them forward to greater opportunities. Equity is at the core of our mission, and 70% of students identify as students of color.
Key Facts
Highest Enrolled Programs
- Computer Network Technology
- Computer Science
- Medical Assistant
- Automotive Technology
- Culinary Arts
Enrollment
- Headcount (all sources): 8,848
- FTES (all sources): 3,477
- Headcount (state-funded): 8,037
- FTES (state-funded): 3,149
Students in Selected Programs
- Applied bachelor's: 106
- Apprentices: 2,086
- I-BEST: 449
- International: 20
- Running Start: 182
- Worker Retraining: 428
Student Profile
Type of Student
- Academic/transfer: 6%
- Basic skills: 20%
- Other: 1%
- Workforce education: 73%
Race/Ethnicity*
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 2%
- Asian: 25%
- Black/African American: 17%
- Hispanic/Latino: 21%
- Pacific Islander: 1%
- Other race: 5%
- White: 33%
Attendance
- Full-time: 39%
- Part-time: 61%
Family and Finances
- Students receiving need-based financial aid: 45%
- Students who work: 45%
- Students with children: 43%
Gender
- Female: 39%
- Male: 61%
Median age
30
Points of Interest
Students Succeed at RTC
RTC meets students where they are and moves them forward to greater opportunity, illustrated by our completion rate of 66% and our job placement rate of 82%. Equity is at the core of our mission, and we are proud to serve a diverse population of students and work to remove barriers to success, especially during COVID-19. We offer hands-on training in a safe setting in our labs, while the remainder of courses are offered online through spring quarter 2021. The college provides technology, including computers, hotspots and other devices to ensure all students have access to programs and services.
Preparing the workforce
RTC prepares students for a changing workforce with programs such as Mechatronics, which integrates robotics, mechanical, electrical and computer science now used in a variety of industries. Our Registered Nurse and other short- and long-term health care programs ensure RTC helps meet growing health care needs while providing students opportunities in high-demand, high-wage careers. Partners include Swedish Medical Center, Valley Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente.
A variety of paths
RTC is consistently ranked as one of the top two-year colleges in the country. In addition to certificate and associate degrees in career training programs, RTC offers bachelor of applied science degrees in Network Architecture and Application Development, transferable credits and degrees, and Running Start. Many graduates transfer to universities, including two recent graduates who went on to study at Harvard and Columbia.
Data is from the 2019-20 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted.
*May not add up to 100% because students may be counted in more than one race. Percentages calculated on reported value.
President
Dr. Kevin McCarthy
Trustees
- Kirby Unti, chair
- Debra Entenman
- Tyler Page
- Susan Palmer
- Frieda Takamura
Year Founded
1941
Service Area
King County
Legislative Districts
5, 11, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 41, 43, 47
Page Manager:
krose@sbctc.edu
Last Modified: 2/17/23, 11:54 AM