Highline College Photo #3 - View from the Outreach Building of the Totem outside Student Services/Admissions, Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains.

Highline College

2400 S 240th St
Des Moines, WA 98198
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
  • Highline Community College is nationally and internationally recognized as a premier community college, a reputation earned through the development of an institutional culture that values innovation, globalization of curriculum, and community participation. It is one of 34 community and technical colleges in the state of Washington.

School Highlights

Highline College serves 5,592 students (57% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 20:1 is lower than the state community college average of 24:1.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is more than the state average of 60%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 5,592 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,000
  • Out-state tuition: $4,401
  • Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 82%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Highline College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 285 teachers has declined by 46% over five years.
Highline College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Year Founded
1961
Campus Size
80 acres
Total Faculty
285 staff
156 staff
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Highline College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 20:1 has increased from 12:1 over five years.
The Highline College diversity score of 0.84 is more than the state average of 0.77. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,592 students
3,791 students

Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
24:1

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Full-Time Students
3,211 students
1,835 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Students
2,381 students
1,956 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Enrollment Undergraduate
5,592 students
3,741 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,211 students
1,835 students

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,381 students
1,956 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
160 students
150 students
% Asian
18%
9%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Hispanic
19%
19%

Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Black
17%
6%

Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% White
18%
40%

Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

% Hawaiian
1%
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
8%
% Non Resident races
5%
3%
% Unknown races
14%
14%
Diversity Score
0.84
0.77

Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
32%
30%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
40%
36%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$38,300
$36,300

Tuition & Financial Aid

The public in-state tuition of $4,000 is less than the state average of $4,105. The in-state tuition has declined by 7% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $4,401 is less than the state average of $7,359. The out-state tuition has declined by 8% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,000
$4,105
Out-State Tuition Fees
$4,401
$7,359
Tuition Notes
3 qtrs, 15 credits
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
69%
70%

Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Graduates
$10,486
$11,794

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$6,242

Showing 2008–2020. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Highline College cost?
Highline College's tuition is approximately $4,000 for In-State students and $4,401 for Out-State students.
What is Highline College's ranking?
Highline College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Washington for: Least expensive tuition, Diversity in US community colleges and Average community college minority breakdown.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 5,592 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,000
  • Out-state tuition: $4,401
  • Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
  • Minority enrollment: 82%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

King County, WA community colleges have a diversity score of 0.79, which is higher than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in King County, WA is Seattle Central College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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