Highline College | Field Guide 2026

Dr. Jamilyn Penn

  • Sharmila Swenson, chair
  • Joe Bowman, vice chair
  • Travis Exstrom
  • Jesse Johnson

1961

Southwest King County

11, 30, 31, 33, 34, 47

Highline College logo

Highline College was founded in 1961 as King County’s first community college. Highline offers a vibrant and diverse learning environment with over 100 degrees and certificates, including seven applied bachelor’s degrees within eight degree pathways. With 75% students of color and people representing more than 120 cultures, Highline is the state’s most diverse higher education institution.

Key Facts

  • Academic Transfer
  • Nursing/Health Occupations
  • Physical and Life Sciences
  • Business/Accounting
  • Early Childhood Education

  • Headcount (all sources): 14,601
  • FTES (all sources): 7,072
  • Headcount (state-funded): 11,021
  • FTES (state-funded): 5,053

  • Bachelor's: 395
  • I-BEST: 454
  • International: 468
  • Running Start: 1,698
  • Worker Retraining: 374

Student Profile

  • Academic/transfer: 33%
  • Basic skills: 36%
  • Workforce education: 20%
  • Other: 10%

Students of color: 75%

  • American Indian/Alaska Native: 1%
  • Asian: 29%
  • Black/African American: 27%
  • Hispanic/Latino: 20%
  • Pacific Islander: 2%
  • White: 22%

  • Full-time: 36%
  • Part-time: 64%

  • Students receiving need-based financial aid: 61%
  • Students with dependents: 29%

  • Female: 8,343
  • Male: 5,224
  • X: 37
  • Not reported: 997

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Points of Interest

Highline contributes to the economic development of South King County by providing no-cost business training and one-to-one technical assistance for new and existing businesses. Such assistance helps local businesses achieve sustainability and self-efficiency. Highline’s economic development initiatives include the Small Business Development Center and StartZone. In 2024, Highline provided 2,668 hours of service to more than 337 clients, helped launch 19 new businesses, supported 186 jobs, and generated $7.1 million in loans, grants, and investments. Businesses that utilized services reported a $9.9 million increase in revenue. 

On December 6, 2025, Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension opened with a new Kent Des Moines station, located across from Highline College. The 7.8-mile extension also includes stations at Star Lake and Downtown Federal Way, only a few blocks away from Highline’s branch campus, The Hub: Federal Way Higher Education Center. This dependable transportation option now brings new opportunities and greater access to higher education for residents of South King County.

In September 2025, The Hub: Federal Way Education Center celebrated its four-year anniversary. The center, conveniently located in the heart of Federal Way, is a partnership between Highline College, the University of Washington Tacoma, the City of Federal Way, and Federal Way Public Schools. Over the years, The Hub has grown from offering only a few classes to now providing an expansive selection of classes across various subjects, including math, science, psychology, geology, and more, as well as English classes for English language learners. In addition, The Hub offers direct support and advising to those looking to apply to Highline College and enroll in classes. The center is also an inviting space with both quiet study and community gathering areas, and is convenient and welcoming for Running Start students and recent graduates of Federal Way Public Schools.

Data is from the 2024-25 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

*Students of color percent based on unduplicated headcount. Students may be counted in more than one race, so race/ethnicity percentages may not total 100%. Percentages calculated on reported value.

**Excluding Running Start.