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Colleges in and near Federal Way

Highline College is 5.5 miles from Federal Way

No college sits inside Federal Way’s boundary, but Highline College’s campus in Des Moines, with 3,517 students on campus, is 5.5 miles from the center of town. About 6% of Federal Way’s residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Washington (6%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Federal Way. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
13
34,529 students on campus
Nearest college
5.5 mi
Highline College
Residents in college
6%
About the same as WA (6%)
Nearest community college
5.5 mi
Highline College · $4,772 tuition
Nearest public university
5.5 mi
Highline College · $4,772 in-state
Median household income
$87K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Federal Way

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A community college 5.5 miles awayHighline College has 3,517 students on campus in Des Moines, 35% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Highline CollegeLiving in Washington, Highline College charges $4,772 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $5,332. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 6% of residentsAbout the same as Washington (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Federal Way

Five private colleges within 12.5 miles, two public colleges within 7.6 miles, and six community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miGreen River CollegeUniversity of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacomaFederal Way
University or collegeCommunity college
Highline CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,517 on campus · 5.5 mi · Des Moines$10knet price35%graduate$48kearningsTuition and fees: $4,772 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Northwest College of Art & DesignUniversity or college · For-profit · 150 on campus · 6.3 mi · Tacoma66%admitted$16knet price58%graduate$31kearningsUniversity of Washington-Tacoma CampusUniversity or college · Public · 4,497 on campus · 6.6 mi · Tacoma83%admitted$10knet price63%graduate$78kearningsEarnings are reported for all 3 campuses that file with it.Bates Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,299 on campus · 6.6 mi · Tacoma$6knet price43%graduate$50kearningsTuition and fees: $6,027 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of Puget SoundUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,914 on campus · 7.4 mi · Tacoma72%admitted$38knet price68%graduate$70kearningsGreen River CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 4,707 on campus · 7.6 mi · Auburn$14knet price39%graduate$51kearningsFaith International UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 208 on campus · 8.7 mi · Tacoma$23knet price25%graduate$51kearningsTacoma Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 4,119 on campus · 9.9 mi · Tacoma$8knet price32%graduate$47kearningsTuition and fees: $5,507 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Clover Park Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,695 on campus · 12 mi · Lakewood$10knet price43%graduate$42kearningsTuition and fees: $6,634 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Pima Medical Institute-RentonUniversity or college · For-profit · 400 on campus · 12.4 mi · Renton$32knet price69%graduate$39kearningsEarnings are reported for all 13 campuses that file with it.Pacific Lutheran UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,685 on campus · 12.5 mi · Tacoma78%admitted$20knet price69%graduate$67kearningsRenton Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 2,398 on campus · 14.4 mi · Renton$8knet price46%graduate$50kearningsTuition and fees: $6,308 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Pierce College DistrictCommunity college · Public · 3,940 on campus · 14.6 mi · Lakewood$10knet price31%graduate$48kearningsTuition and fees: $5,418 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Federal Way’s median household income ($86,909) falls.

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus6.6 mi · Tacoma · sticker $25,346$11,449a year
Highline College5.5 mi · Des Moines · sticker $18,812 · tuition $4,772$11,455a year
Tacoma Community College9.9 mi · Tacoma · sticker $16,766 · tuition $5,507$12,371a year
Bates Technical College6.6 mi · Tacoma · sticker $18,837 · tuition $6,027$12,978a year
Clover Park Technical College12 mi · Lakewood · sticker $18,882 · tuition $6,634$13,166a year
Renton Technical College14.4 mi · Renton · sticker $17,585 · tuition $6,308$13,861a year
Pierce College District14.6 mi · Lakewood · sticker $18,085 · tuition $5,418$14,309a year
Green River College7.6 mi · Auburn · sticker $22,040$18,681a year
Pacific Lutheran University12.5 mi · Tacoma · sticker $62,459$22,535a year
Northwest College of Art & Design6.3 mi · Tacoma · sticker $30,038$24,031a year
University of Puget Sound7.4 mi · Tacoma · sticker $78,378$34,870a year
Faith International University8.7 mi · Tacoma · sticker $31,368—a year
Pima Medical Institute-Renton12.4 mi · Renton · sticker $35,558—a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Federal Way: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of Washington-Tacoma CampusGreen River CollegeTacomaPierce College District
Green River College39% graduate$51k earnings$12k typical debt
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus63% graduate$78k earnings*$15k typical debt
Tacoma Community College32% graduate$47k earnings$13k typical debt
Pierce College District31% graduate$48k earnings$12k typical debt
Highline College35% graduate$48k earnings$10k typical debt
Bates Technical College43% graduate$50k earnings
Clover Park Technical College43% graduate$42k earnings$12k typical debt
Pacific Lutheran University69% graduate$67k earnings$23k typical debt
Renton Technical College46% graduate$50k earnings$8k typical debt
University of Puget Sound68% graduate$70k earnings$25k typical debt
Pima Medical Institute-Renton69% graduate$39k earnings*$10k typical debt
Faith International University25% graduate$51k earnings$18k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (3); Pima Medical Institute-Renton (13).

Questions about college near Federal Way

Is Federal Way a college town?

No. About 6 of every 100 Federal Way residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Washington (6). The nearest campus, Highline College, is 5.5 miles away in Des Moines.

What colleges are near Federal Way?

13 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Green River College (7.6 miles, 4,707 students on campus), the University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (6.6 miles, 4,497) and Tacoma Community College (9.9 miles, 4,119).

What is the closest community college to Federal Way, and what does it cost?

Highline College in Des Moines, 5.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,772 a year for Washington residents; the federal net price, $9,879, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Highline College cost if we live in Washington?

Tuition and fees are $4,772 a year in-state and $5,332 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,984 (under $30,000 income) to $12,378 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Federal Way. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →