Public
Accredited · Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$16,197Annual Cost
$47,168Grad Salary
24.3%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$9,321
Need-Based Aid
24.3% receive Pell
Tacoma Community College serves Washington's Pierce County with comprehensive academic and workforce programs. Established in 1965, the college offers over 70 degree and certificate programs with strengths in nursing, cybersecurity, and business. The campus features the 'Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning' and the 'Science and Engineering Building.'
TCC's 'Bachelor of Applied Science' degrees allow students to complete four-year programs. The college's 'Veterans Services' support military-connected students, while its 'Gig Harbor Campus' serves the Key Peninsula. TCC maintains strong transfer agreements with University of Washington campuses.
Tacoma Community College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Tacoma Community College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Tacoma Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Tacoma Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Tacoma Community College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Tacoma Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Tacoma Community College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Tacoma Community College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Tacoma Community College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Tacoma Community College Without SAT or ACT?
Tacoma Community College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Tacoma Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Tacoma Community College's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Understand TCC's new holistic nursing admission process replaced pure GPA ranking
TCC's nursing program shifted to a "new, more holistic admission process" (implemented starting Winter '25), moving beyond a strict points formula. Complete all prerequisites (ENGL&101, CHEM&121/161, and others) with a B or higher - note there are no attempt or expiration date rules on these courses, so an old grade still counts, but only a B or better does.
Use the built-in essay-course fallback if your English grade dips
If you earn a B-, C+, or C in ENGL&101, TCC has a specific structural workaround: take a second designated English course and earn a B or higher there instead to still meet the requirement. Know this fallback exists rather than assuming one weak English grade disqualifies you outright.
Claim your extra ranking point if you've applied to nursing before
TCC's holistic process awards a point specifically to applicants who have previously applied to the nursing program - a genuine, documented advantage for persistence. If this is a reapplication, answer that question accurately on your application, since it's a real scoring factor, not just a formality.
If pursuing the BSN-track DTA/MRP pathway, protect your factored-course grades within the 5-year window
TCC's Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (a 3-year pathway to a university BSN) requires a minimum B grade within two attempts in a 5-year period on specific "factored" courses (including all academic withdrawals counting against you), plus a 2.5 overall GPA across all colleges attended. Track this specific 5-year, two-attempt rule carefully if you're building toward the BSN transfer track rather than the standard AAS.
Expert Insight:
Because TCC is fully open-admission with no essay or recommendation letters required for general enrollment, students sometimes assume nursing follows the same low-friction path. It doesn't: admission is now a holistic, points-and-lottery process with strict prerequisite grade minimums (B or higher, no exceptions for C+ or below without the English fallback), and applicants who are not selected must reapply in the next full cycle - there's no partial credit for "close but not quite."
Tacoma Community College Profile
Full Name
Tacoma Community College
City
Tacoma
State
Washington
ZIP Code
98466-6100
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Is a Tacoma Community College Degree Worth It?
At $16,197/year against a $47,168 median graduate salary, Tacoma Community College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $58,100, and graduates see a 4.37% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Tacoma Community College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $16,197/year at Tacoma Community College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $9,321.
At Tacoma Community College, 24.3% receive a Pell Grant and 13.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Tacoma Community College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Tacoma Community College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Tacoma Community College graduates report a median income of $47,168, about 16% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at Tacoma Community College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Tacoma Community College Admissions
Tacoma Community College graduates earn a lower median salary of $47,168/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Tacoma Community College is relatively affordable, around $16,197/year.
24.3% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Tacoma Community College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Tacoma Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Washington Colleges
Average SAT Score of Washington Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Washington
Bachelor Programs in Washington
Test Optional Colleges in Washington
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Washington