Tacoma Community College vs University of Washington-Tacoma Campus: which has better ROI?
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,652 in 1.4 years versus not at all at Tacoma Community College, on median earnings of $78,466 vs $47,168 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Tacoma Community College | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,376 | $10,163 |
| Total net cost | $16,752 | $40,652 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,168 | $78,466 |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $14,615 |
| Payback | — | 1.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$40,592 | $561,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Tacoma Community College or University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?
Tacoma Community College, at $8,376 a year after aid versus $10,163 — a gap of $1,787 a year, or $23,900 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Tacoma Community College or University of Washington-Tacoma Campus graduates earn more?
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus graduates report a median $78,466 ten years after entry, $31,298 more than the $47,168 at Tacoma Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Tacoma Community College or University of Washington-Tacoma Campus?
Tacoma Community College: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $14,615 at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, a difference of $1,615. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at University of Washington-Tacoma Campus, against 32% at Tacoma Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.