Tacoma, Washington Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

TL;DR

EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Tacoma, Washington shows: median public in-state tuition $13,168 (+138.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $68,292 (+25.7% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 89.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $14,615 (+8.8% vs U.S.) 15,943 students enrolled statewide.

Key Facts

  • Institutions in this profile: 10 campuses
  • Total college enrollment: 15,943 students
  • Median public in-state tuition: $13,168 (+138.9% vs U.S.)
  • Median earnings 10 years after entry: $68,292 (+25.7% vs U.S.)
  • Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 89.7% (+1.8 pp vs U.S.)
  • Median net price: $21,126 (+112.0% vs U.S.)
  • Median student debt at graduation: $14,615 (+8.8% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $11,750
  • Average completion rate (institutions in state): 57.7%
  • Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 81.0%

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Overview

EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Tacoma, Washington—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against Washington and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.

Tacoma vs Washington & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Tacoma, Washington$13,168$21,126$14,61557.7%15,943
Washington (state median)$5,356$9,863$13,65346.4%226,333
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370

Earnings & employment outcomes: Tacoma, Washington vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Tacoma, Washington$68,29289.7%81.0%2.7%0.00%83.2%0.34
Washington (state median)$63,53890.2%78.3%3.2%—80.4%0.34
United States$54,32387.9%76.3%5.0%—73.7%0.41

Other cities in Washington (3+ campuses)

Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.

Peer comparison table
City In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Tacoma, Washington$13,168$21,126$14,61557.7%15,943$68,29289.7%
Seattle$20,500$27,752$13,80856.8%49,043$69,46089.3%
Bellingham$4,773$11,795$17,45939.0%18,319$62,56990.3%
Spokane$14,784$21,029$18,14950.0%15,383$68,72693.9%
Everett$5,032$12,416$10,41736.6%5,881N/AN/A
Vancouver$8,585$11,465$10,88139.0%5,067N/AN/A
Yakima$5,312$14,513$13,96629.3%3,960N/AN/A
Kirkland$14,652$22,288$20,89150.0%3,456$54,91490.6%
United States$5,512$9,967$13,43250.3%14,484,370$54,32387.9%

Outcomes by sector in Tacoma, Washington

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private nonprofit3$66,99090.1%81.9%2.2%0.00%82.8%

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by graduation rate (150% time)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.

  1. Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 68.6%, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 68.0%, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 63.2%, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 92.4%, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 90.1%, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 89.3%, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 most selective colleges in Tacoma, Washington (lowest admission rate)

Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.

  1. Rank 1, Admission Rate, 72.2%, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, Admission Rate, 78.0%, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, Admission Rate, 82.5%, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.

  1. Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $141,588, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $81,761, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $66,055, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)

Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.

  1. Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $169,570, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $128,703, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $98,696, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $62,979, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $52,212, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,802, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $70,968, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $60,142, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $55,567, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $78,466, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $69,594, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $66,990, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $304,018, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $192,237, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $153,356, Faith International University

    Faith International University

    Private nonprofit · 276 enrolled · Tacoma

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $91,128, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 most affordable colleges in Tacoma, Washington (net price)

Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $10,163, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $19,589, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $38,394, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

Top 10 colleges in Tacoma, Washington by first-year retention (full-time)

Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.

  1. Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 84.0%, University of Puget Sound

    University of Puget Sound

    Private nonprofit · 1,594 enrolled · Tacoma

  2. Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 81.9%, Pacific Lutheran University

    Pacific Lutheran University

    Private nonprofit · 2,401 enrolled · Tacoma

  3. Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 80.0%, University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

    Public · 4,185 enrolled · Tacoma

In-state tuition: Tacoma, Washington vs benchmarks

Sticker price

Tacoma, Washington median in-state tuition is $13,168, +138.9% vs the U.S. median.

Student debt: Tacoma, Washington vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Tacoma, Washington is $14,615 (+8.8% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $11,750.

Median earnings (10 years out): Tacoma, Washington vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Tacoma, Washington center around $68,292 (+25.7% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Tacoma, Washington vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 89.7% at the median Tacoma, Washington campus (+1.8 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Tacoma, Washington median public in-state tuition is $13,168, about +138.9% vs the national median. Versus the Far West region, tuition is +301.0%.

Median graduate debt is $14,615 (+8.8% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Tacoma, Washington are $68,292, about +25.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).

The median campus reports 89.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (+1.8 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 81.0% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 2.7% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr default 0.00% (U.S. median N/A); 3-yr repayment progress 83.2% (U.S. 73.7%).

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Pacific Lutheran University (92.4%), University of Puget Sound (90.1%), University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (89.3%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Tacoma, Washington, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $66,990 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Tacoma, Washington is 57.7% (national institution average about 50.3%).

FAQ

How many colleges are in Tacoma?

EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 10 campuses in Tacoma, Washington with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.

How much does college cost in Tacoma?

EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Tacoma is $13,168 and median net price is $21,126. For Washington overall, medians are $5,356 and $9,863; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.

What do graduates earn in Tacoma?

EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Tacoma is $68,292 vs $63,538 for Washington and $54,323 nationally.

What is student debt like for Tacoma colleges?

EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Tacoma is $14,615 vs $13,653 for Washington and $13,432 nationally.

What are the best colleges in Tacoma?

EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include Pacific Lutheran University (graduation) and University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.

Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Tacoma?

EDsmart Data analysis: among 10 campuses in Tacoma, Washington, 2 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Evangelical Lutheran Church (1), Other Protestant (1).

Sources & related