Tacoma Community College

What Tacoma Community College does

Tacoma Community College is a public two-year community college established in 1965 in Tacoma, Washington, operating under the governance of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). The college serves 12,018 students across two campuses (Tacoma at 6501 South 19th Street and Gig Harbor at 3993 Hunt Street NW) plus online channels, with a student body that is 50% students of color and has a median age of 24. TCC offers 80+ degree and certificate programs organized around five career pathways (Business/Paralegal/Technology; Creative Arts/Literature/Communication; Education/Social & Behavioral Sciences; Healthcare; Science/Engineering/Math), including Associate in Applied Science degrees, four Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, professional-technical certificates, GED/high school completion, English Language Acquisition, and dual enrollment programs (Running Start, TCC in the High School, Fresh Start). The college produced 2,270 graduates in the Class of 2026.

TCC's technology stack comprises industry-standard educational and administrative platforms: Canvas Learning Management System (by Instructure) for online, hybrid, and web-enhanced course delivery; ctcLink (the statewide SBCTC student information system) for enrollment, grades, financial aid, and records; Microsoft 365/Outlook for institutional communications; OnBase for digital application forms; BankMobile for financial aid disbursements; Handshake for student employment; and Maxient for student conduct and care team case management. The college is a consumer rather than a developer of these platforms, with no public API or proprietary AI/ML systems disclosed. A Generative AI Academic Use Policy was adopted in May 2025 to govern institutional use of third-party LLMs.

The revenue model is public-appropriations-driven rather than commercial. FY2025 total institutional revenues were $79,461,235, comprised of State Operating Appropriations (55%, $43.9M), federal and state Grants & Contracts (21%, $16.8M), Tuition and Fees (19%, $15.0M), and Local funding (5%, $3.7M). Tuition is set at approximately one-third the cost of a Washington state university, with the average cost to educate a resident full-time student at $15,154 (of which students pay $3,866, with the remaining $11,289 covered by state opportunity pathway funding). The Open Educational Resources program generates over $1.5M in annual student textbook savings. The college received $24.9M in HEERF funding (2020-2023) from the U.S. Department of Education. GTM is open-enrollment, direct-to-consumer with community-led outreach through partner high schools, counselor engagement, campus events, and digital channels.

Name

Tacoma Community College

Legal name

Tacoma Community College

Website

https://tacomacc.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tacoma Community College is a public two-year institution serving 12,018 students across Tacoma and Gig Harbor campuses, offering 80+ degree and certificate programs in five career pathways with open enrollment and tuition at one-third the cost of a state university.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education / Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD), Junior Colleges (Associate-Degree Granting) (EDAHADAC), Urban/Metropolitan Community Colleges (EDAHADAL)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Professional-technical certificates
• Workforce training
• Dual enrollment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tacoma

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. State Operating Appropriations: Primary revenue stream from Washington State operating appropriations for public community college operations.
2. Tuition and Fees: Student tuition revenue including Building Fee and Operating Fee. Tuition is approximately one-third the cost of a state university.
3. Federal Grants and Contracts: Federal funding including Title IV student aid, CARES Act/HEERF emergency relief funds. TCC received $10,545,172 in HEERF student aid and $14,419,089 in institutional funding.
4. State and Local Grants: Grants and contracts including state workforce education funding and local support. Professional-Technical programs supported through workforce education funding office.
5. TCC Foundation Scholarships: Private donations and scholarship funding from the TCC Foundation. Has awarded over $2 million to deserving students since 2007.
6. Institutional Revenue Sources: Local funding and other institutional revenue streams supporting college operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tacoma Community College is a public two-year community college that delivers affordable higher education through 80+ degree and certificate programs across five career pathways. Core offerings include Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees in Community Health, Health Information Management, Applied Management, and Advanced Networking & Data Security, professional-technical certificates, GED/high school completion, and dual enrollment programs that allow high school students to earn college credit.

Product overview

Tacoma Community College is a two-year public community college offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational products and services organized around five career pathways: Business/Paralegal/Technology, Creative Arts/Literature/Communication, Education/Social & Behavioral Sciences, Healthcare, and Science/Engineering/Mathematics. The core academic products include Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees, Bachelor's of Applied Science degrees (in Community Health, Health Information Management, Applied Management, and Advanced Networking & Data Security), professional-technical certificates, GED/high school completion, and dual credit programs for high school students. Student support services include the Canvas learning management system for online/hybrid courses, comprehensive academic support (tutoring centers, advising, library), financial aid services, emergency funding, career services, and campus life programs. The college leverages integrated technology platforms including Canvas LMS, ctcLink student information system, BankMobile for financial disbursements, and Maxient for student support case management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree Programs Two-year professional-technical degree programs that prepare students for employment in fields such as business, healthcare, technology, and human services; some AAS-Transfer degrees can be transferred to applied baccalaureate degrees at universities.
• Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree Programs Four-year bachelor degrees in Community Health, Health Information Management, Applied Management, and Advanced Networking & Data Security, providing advanced education beyond the associate degree level.
• Professional-Technical Certificates Shorter-term certificate programs in career fields including accounting, business, early childhood education, healthcare, paralegal studies, networking, and cybersecurity, designed for job market entry or skill advancement.
• High School Diploma & GED Programs Adult basic education programs including GED preparation, high school diploma completion, and English Language Acquisition (ELA) for non-native speakers.
• Dual Credit Programs (College + High School) Programs allowing high school students to earn college credit while completing high school, including TCC in the High School, Fresh Start, and Running Start.
• Continuing Education Non-credit courses for professional development, personal enrichment, and hobby exploration available through workforce and continuing education programs.
• Transfer Programs Transfer degrees designed for students planning to continue at four-year colleges and universities, with articulation agreements with partner institutions.
• Certification & Testing Center National College Testing Association certified testing center offering GED, professional certification exams (Pearson Vue, PSI, Kryterion, CLEP, METRO, True Talent, Meazure Learning), and placement testing by appointment.
• Canvas Learning Management System (Online & Hybrid Courses) Online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses platform powered by Canvas where students access class materials, submit homework, and communicate with instructors.
• Corporate Training and Workforce Development Workforce education, professional development, and continuing education programs for local businesses, employees seeking new skills, and career advancement.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12,018 students enrolled; 50% students of color; 24 median student age
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ctcLinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationStatewide student information system used for enrollment, registration, grades, financial aid, and student records management. Part of Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) shared technology infrastructure.
• Canvas by InstructurecoreTechnology or IntegrationLearning management system (LMS) used for all online, hybrid, and web-enhanced courses. Students access coursework, submit assignments, and communicate with instructors through Canvas platform.
• Microsoft 365coreTechnology or IntegrationInstitutional email and productivity software. Students and staff use Outlook for email, Microsoft Office applications, and collaborative tools.
• Tacoma Art MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMUSE program partnership providing free museum admission to TCC students with valid student ID. Students receive free admission plus discounts on purchases, events, and programming through the 2024-25 academic year.
• Pierce TransitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerORCA bus pass partnership providing free unlimited transit passes to all TCC students on all Pierce Transit routes. Supports student transportation needs and reduces barriers to attendance.
• Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide system partnership providing shared technology infrastructure (ctcLink), policy coordination, workforce development initiatives, and system-wide programs including HEERF funding administration.
• Nourish Pierce CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood insecurity partnership bringing refrigerated food truck to campus on Tuesday nights. Nourish Pierce County truck visits Lot F off Mildred Street from 4:30-6:30 p.m., serving students and community members.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pikes Peak State College: Public community college in Colorado Springs offering associate, transfer, and workforce programs with a similar open-door mission and comparable enrollment profile. Structurally analogous mid-sized public community college.
• Pierce College: Public community college in Pierce County, Washington, serving the same Tacoma-area geography as TCC with similar associate degree, transfer, and workforce programs. Directly competes for the same regional student pool.
• Renton Technical College: Washington public technical college focused on professional-technical and workforce programs. Comparable to TCC's applied/technical offerings and shares the SBCTC statewide system.
• Green River College: Washington public community college in Auburn offering associate degrees, professional-technical certificates, and transfer pathways. Comparable in size and program mix; shares the same SBCTC statewide system and ctcLink SIS infrastructure.
• Highline College: Washington state public community college in Des Moines/King County offering comparable associate degrees, BAS pathways, workforce training, and university transfer. Operates under the same SBCTC system as TCC.
• Olympic College: Washington public community college in Bremerton offering associate degrees, workforce training, and university transfer under the SBCTC system. Comparable in mission, scale, and program structure to TCC.
• South Puget Sound Community College: Washington public community college in Olympia offering similar associate degree, transfer, and workforce programs under the SBCTC system. Competes in adjacent regional catchment.
• Bellevue College: Large Washington state public community college in Bellevue with comparable program breadth including BAS degrees and international student services. Operates within the same SBCTC system.

Broad incumbents

• Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA): Largest public community college in the U.S. by enrollment, offering the same broad mix of associate, transfer, workforce, and online programs as TCC. Useful as a scaled comparable for institutional structure, though significantly larger in scope.
• Miami Dade College: One of the largest public community college systems in the U.S., offering associate, bachelor, and continuing education programs. Comparable to TCC in mission and program breadth though substantially larger.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tacomacc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFCvXHWd4ks5GKSXkrI-4LA
• Facebookfacebook.com/tacomacc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tacoma-community-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/tacomacc

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tacoma Community College