Quick Facts

A Proud History

Creating community within the college and supporting the community outside of the college have been goals of Tacoma Community College since Day One.

TCC traces its roots to 1962 when residents of the Tacoma-Pierce County area elected to fund and build a local community college. Directors of the Tacoma School District No. 10 applied for authorization to build the College in 1961. TCC received state approval to begin construction in 1963 and opened for classes on Sept. 28, 1965. 

At a Glance

• Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
• One of 34 Washington community and technical colleges.
• Service Area: Tacoma-Pierce County.
• Almost 15,000 students enroll at TCC annually (2006-2007).
• Offers 45 state approved professional/technical programs.   
• Campus Locations: main campus in west Tacoma, Gig Harbor Peninsula Campus, Washington Institute for Service Excellence at the Tacoma Mall, Madison School, The Evergreen State College-Tacoma, Washington Corrections Center for Women, and Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women.
• NWAACC Varsity Sports: Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Soccer and Golf; Women’s Volleyball and Cross Country; and Men’s Baseball.

Did You Know?

• In 2005-06, 3,778 TCC students received financial aid; the average amount of aid received by those students was $4,780.
• The college awarded nearly $375,000 in scholarships. 

Economic Impact

• TCC employs 994 full and part-time faculty and staff paying wages of $35 million in 2003.
• An estimated 75% of TCC students stay in the region and contribute to the local economy after they leave the college.
• TCC accounts for $214.6 million of all annual earnings in Pierce County, which equates to roughly 6,409 jobs.
• Students enjoy an attractive 17% annual return on their investment of time and money; for every $1 the student invests in TCC, she or he will receive a cumulative $4.62 in higher future earnings over the next 30 years. 

*Source: “The Socioeconomic Benefits Generated by TCC,” prepared by M. Henry Robinson & Kjell A. Christopher, Feb. 27, 2003. 

Meet the Titans

*Info gathered Fall 2006

STUDENT AGE

GENDER

ETHNIC MIX

STUDENT GOALS

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Approximately 200 per quarter

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Average of 450 per quarter

Community Partnerships

More than 150 local business professionals participate on advisory committees at TCC for the college’s 45 professional/technical programs such as:

• Information Technology
• Office Professional
• Human Services
• Administration of Justice
• Health
• Business

These volunteers ensure our programs are up-to-date and relevant in today’s ever-changing workplace. Through their contributions, our students achieve more than 90% placement in their chosen fields.