Tacoma Community College | Field Guide 2022

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With campuses in Tacoma and Gig Harbor, Washington, Tacoma Community College offers in-person, hybrid, and online learning options close to home at an affordable cost. TCC offers transfer degrees, professional degrees and certificates, Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, and continuing education classes tailored to meet the needs of both students and local employers. Committed to Guided Pathways and to anti-racist work, TCC seeks to continually improve the student experience while positioning graduates for success at transfer institutions and in the workplace.

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Key Facts

Highest Enrolled Programs

Academic/College Transfer
Adult Basic Skills, High School+, GED®, High School Diploma/Equivalent, English as a Second Language
Nursing and Pre-Nursing
Allied Health
Business
Science
Non-degree–other

Enrollment

Headcount (all sources): 9,979
FTES (all sources): 5,452
Headcount (state-funded): 7,860
FTES (state-funded): 4,009

Students in Selected Programs

Applied bachelor's: 195
Corrections: 500
I-BEST: 171
International: 225
Running Start: 1,299
Worker Retraining: 439

Student Profile

Type of Student

Academic/transfer: 56%
Basic skills: 8%
Other: 10%
Workforce education: 27%

Race/Ethnicity*

American Indian/Alaska Native: 4%
Asian: 16%
Black/African American: 15%
Hispanic/Latino: 17%
Pacific Islander: 3%
White: 68%

Attendance

Full-time: 58%
Part-time: 42%

Family and Finances

Students receiving need-based financial aid: 35%
Students with dependents: 31%

Gender

Female: 67%
Male: 33%

Median age

Points of Interest

Job creation in health careers

Tacoma Community College (TCC) recognizes the shortage in health care workers has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and is dedicated to creating a knowledgeable workforce for our community. With community partners, we have recently doubled the capacity of our radiology program by adding an evening cohort, ideal for students who juggle professional or personal obligations. We’ve also launched a community-based Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training certificate on the Eastside of Tacoma to address equity gaps in this typically underserved community and prepare students to advance a career in emergency medical services. Interested students are encouraged to talk to an advisor about TCC’s health career options.

Creating equitable education through student support

A commitment to equity is embedded in the culture at TCC, prominently displayed in both our mission and strategic plan. Given the recent pandemic and social unrest, equity gaps have become noticeably wider, prompting TCC to develop new and bolder strategies to bridge those gaps. From free laptops to food assistance and emergency grants to housing support, TCC has provided wraparound support for our vulnerable and marginalized students. Our EDI office has been working to shape TCC into an anti-racist institution by reviewing existing policies and hiring processes through an equity lens, and empowering our community to embrace differences in identities and experiences.

Building Guided Pathways

TCC was one of five Washington community and technical colleges to be awarded a College Spark Guided Pathways Grant in 2018. Since then, the $500,000 grant has supported TCC’s efforts to implement the Guided Pathways model. This approach has been proven to simplify choices for community college students, improving completion and graduation rates, especially for first-generation students. Currently, TCC is staffing new advisors and navigators, eliminating most developmental coursework, updating orientation, and moving to a co-requisite model for Math and English that should significantly reduce equity gaps.

Data is from the 2020-2021 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.