UnisHub University Compass

Highline College : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About Highline College

Set above Puget Sound, Highline College pairs a neighborly vibe with the momentum of the Seattle area. It's known for strong teaching, transfer preparation, and career focused learning in broad fields like business, health, tech, and the arts. Modern labs, a bright library, and study spaces support the work, alongside tutoring, advising, counseling, and basic needs support.

Student life centers on active clubs, cultural events, and hangouts in the student center. Intramurals and a fitness space meet nearby beaches and trails for quick resets, plus a small public marine science center by the water. The culture is diverse, welcoming, and practical. Career prep arrives through a hands-on career hub, employer visits, and internships tied to regional industries with big city access.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
2400 S 240th St, Des Moines, Washington, 98198, USA
Unit ID
235431

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
NWCCU
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Quarter system (four terms per year: fall, winter, spring, summer)
Award Levels
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
Campus Setting
Located in a large suburb (outside principal city, 250,000+ population)
Carnegie Classification
Baccalaureate/Associate's - Mixed programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$4,623
Tuition $3,633 + Fee $990
Out-of-State
$5,156
Tuition $3,633 + Fee $1,523
Student Profile
Total Students 5,126
Undergraduate 3,487
Graduate/Other 1,639
Male: 1,924 Female: 3,202
Applications
Total Applicants N/A
Admitted N/A
Enrolled N/A
Staff
Total Staff 821
Full-time 476
Part-time 345
Full-time: 58% Part-time: 42%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

Highline College offers 43 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,179 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (1 programs, 393 graduates), Health (7 programs, 259 graduates), Education (2 programs, 167 graduates), Business (13 programs, 141 graduates) and Computer & IT (6 programs, 53 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Liberal Arts (1 programs, 393 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Liberal Arts and Sciences 393
Associate's
24.0101
Health (7 programs, 259 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Medical Assistant 109
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
51.0801
Registered Nursing 65
Associate's
51.3801
Respiratory Therapy Technician 39
Associate's
Bachelor's
51.0812
Medical Receptionist 25
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
51.0712
Mental Health Counseling 14
Associate's
51.1508
Substance Abuse Counseling 6
Associate's
51.1501
Home Health Aide and Attendant 1
Associate's
51.2602
Education (2 programs, 167 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Early Childhood Education 164
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Residency
Other Award
13.1210
Teacher Assistant and Aide 3
Associate's
13.1501
Business (13 programs, 141 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Business Administration 54
Associate's
52.0101
Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology 22
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
52.0302
Hotel and Motel Management 21
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
52.0904
Office Management and Supervision 9
Associate's
52.0204
Business Administration and Management 6
Associate's
52.0201
Customer Service Management 5
Other Award
52.0207
Small Business Management 5
Associate's
52.0703
Tourism and Travel Management 5
Other Award
52.0903
International Business and Trade 5
Associate's
Bachelor's
52.1101
Human Resources Management 4
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
52.1001
Retail Management 2
Other Award
52.0212
Administrative Assistant Science 2
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
52.0401
Customer Service Support and Call Center Operations 1
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
52.0411
Computer & IT (6 programs, 53 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Information Systems Security and Auditing 34
Associate's
Bachelor's
11.1003
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications 11
Associate's
11.0901
Computer Programming 4
Associate's
11.0201
System and Network Management 2
Associate's
11.1002
Information Technology 1
Associate's
11.0103
Web and Digital Multimedia Design 1
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
11.0801
Physical Sciences (1 programs, 33 graduates)
Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Physical Sciences 33
Associate's
40.0101
Arts (2 programs, 28 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Design and Visual Communications 26
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
50.0401
Interior Design 2
Associate's
50.0408
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 27 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Postsecondary Transition Program 27
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
30.0001
Law (1 programs, 19 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Legal Assistant and Paralegal 19
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
22.0302
Public Services (1 programs, 16 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Youth Services Administration 16
Bachelor's
44.0702

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$21,813
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$22,346
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$4,623
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$5,156
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$13,026 (on) / $16,512 (off)
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$702
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$3,462
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$3,462
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
N/A
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

11%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$5,944
Avg. Loan
$4,980
Avg. Federal Loan
$4,980
Additional
Students with Any Grant
245
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
14
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
146
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$1,490
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

39%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
N/A
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$24,244 – $72,619
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$24,244 (25th %) $72,619 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $47,869
Median Salary After 6 Years
$42,323
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$47,869
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
35.1%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
56.4%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$9,500
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 27.6%
Middle 49.4%
High 53.4%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 46.3%
Independent 32.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about Highline College

How much does it cost to attend Highline College?

The annual tuition at Highline College is $4,623 for in-state students and $5,156 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $21,813 for in-state students and $22,346 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $13,026 (on) / $16,512 (off) and books and supplies $702.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does Highline College offer?

Highline College offers 43 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Bachelor's, Residency, Other Award.

Most popular program areas include:

  • Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (1 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (7 programs)
  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (2 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (13 programs)
  • Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (6 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at Highline College?

Highline College provides financial aid to 11% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,944 and average loans of $4,980.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $4,744
  • State/Local grants: $3,371
  • Institutional grants: $1,490
  • Federal loans: $4,980

The university supports 245 students with grants and 14 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for Highline College graduates?

Highline College graduates earn a median salary of $42,323 after 6 years and $47,869 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $24,244 (25th percentile) to $72,619 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $74,500 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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