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Colleges in and near Lake Tapps

Green River College is 6.5 miles from Lake Tapps

No college sits inside Lake Tapps’ boundary, but Green River College’s campus in Auburn, with 4,707 students on campus, is 6.5 miles from the center of town, and Bates Technical College is 13.1 miles away in Tacoma. About 5% of Lake Tapps’ 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 Lake Tapps. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
7
20,769 students on campus
Nearest college
6.5 mi
Green River College
Residents in college
5%
About the same as WA (6%)
Nearest community college
13.1 mi
Bates Technical College · $6,027 tuition
Nearest public university
6.5 mi
Green River College · $4,711 in-state
Median household income
$148K
prices below start here

What stands out about college from Lake Tapps

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

A college 6.5 miles awayGreen River College has 4,707 students on campus in Auburn, 39% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at Green River CollegeLiving in Washington, Green River College charges $4,711 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $5,263. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 13.1 miles awayBates Technical College in Tacoma: tuition and fees $6,027 a year for Washington residents.Students are 5% 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 Lake Tapps

Three private colleges within 14.8 miles, two public colleges within 12.7 miles, and two community colleges.

5 mi10 mi15 miGreen River CollegeUniversity of Washington-Tacoma CampusHighline CollegeLake Tapps
University or collegeCommunity college
Green River CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 4,707 on campus · 6.5 mi · Auburn$14knet price39%graduate$51kearningsUniversity of Washington-Tacoma CampusUniversity or college · Public · 4,497 on campus · 12.7 mi · Tacoma83%admitted$10knet price63%graduate$78kearningsEarnings are reported for all 3 campuses that file with it.Northwest College of Art & DesignUniversity or college · For-profit · 150 on campus · 12.8 mi · Tacoma66%admitted$16knet price58%graduate$31kearningsBates Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,299 on campus · 13.1 mi · Tacoma$6knet price43%graduate$50kearningsTuition and fees: $6,027 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Highline CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,517 on campus · 13.2 mi · Des Moines$10knet price35%graduate$48kearningsTuition and fees: $4,772 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.Pacific Lutheran UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,685 on campus · 13.7 mi · Tacoma78%admitted$20knet price69%graduate$67kearningsUniversity of Puget SoundUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 1,914 on campus · 14.8 mi · Tacoma72%admitted$38knet price68%graduate$70kearnings

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 Over $110k, where Lake Tapps’ median household income ($148,005) falls.

Highline College13.2 mi · Des Moines · sticker $18,812 · tuition $4,772$12,378a year
Bates Technical College13.1 mi · Tacoma · sticker $18,837 · tuition $6,027$17,404a year
Green River College6.5 mi · Auburn · sticker $22,040$21,533a year
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus12.7 mi · Tacoma · sticker $25,346$22,183a year
Pacific Lutheran University13.7 mi · Tacoma · sticker $62,459$26,915a year
Northwest College of Art & Design12.8 mi · Tacoma · sticker $30,038$29,101a year
University of Puget Sound14.8 mi · Tacoma · sticker $78,378$45,456a 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 Lake Tapps: 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 →Green River CollegeUniversity of Washington-Tacoma CampusBates Technical CollegeHighline CollegePacific Lutheran UniversityUniversity of Puget Sound
Green River College39% graduate$51k earnings$12k typical debt
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus63% graduate$78k earnings*$15k typical debt
Highline College35% graduate$48k earnings$10k typical debt
Bates Technical College43% graduate$50k earnings
Pacific Lutheran University69% graduate$67k earnings$23k typical debt
University of Puget Sound68% graduate$70k earnings$25k typical debt
Northwest College of Art & Design58% graduate$31k earnings$31k 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).

Questions about college near Lake Tapps

Is Lake Tapps a college town?

No. About 5 of every 100 Lake Tapps residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Washington (6). The nearest campus, Green River College, is 6.5 miles away in Auburn.

What colleges are near Lake Tapps?

7 colleges are within 15 miles. The largest: Green River College (6.5 miles, 4,707 students on campus), the University of Washington-Tacoma Campus (12.7 miles, 4,497) and Highline College (13.2 miles, 3,517).

What is the closest community college to Lake Tapps, and what does it cost?

Bates Technical College in Tacoma, 13.1 miles away. Tuition and fees are $6,027 a year for Washington residents; the federal net price, $6,292, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Green River College cost if we live in Washington?

Tuition and fees are $4,711 a year in-state and $5,263 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,415 (under $30,000 income) to $21,533 (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 Lake Tapps. 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 →