Tacoma Community College

What is the cost of studying for a year at Tacoma Community College?

For 2025-26, reported full-time undergraduate tuition and required fees totaled about $5,507 for an in-state student and $11,778 for an out-of-state student. Those are published education charges, not a complete estimate of what it costs to attend.

• In-state tuition: $4,772, plus $735 in required fees.
• Out-of-state tuition: $10,911, plus $735 in required fees.
• Reported books and supplies estimate: $1,500; actual spending depends on courses and materials.

Students also need to budget for housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses. TCC does not operate undergraduate housing, so living costs reflect a student's own arrangements rather than a campus residence-hall bill. Part-time charges, program expenses, and residency determinations can also change the amount owed.

Financial aid can lower the amount a student pays. In the same reporting period, 61% of students received financial aid, while 12% used student loans. The reported average net price for students from families earning no more than $48,000 was $7,691. Net price is an average after grant and scholarship aid, not a quoted bill; an individual estimate should account for enrollment intensity, living arrangements, aid eligibility, and the current year's charges.

Eligible students may draw on federal grants and loans, Washington state aid, scholarships, and military or veterans' education benefits. Completing the appropriate aid application and checking TCC's financial aid deadlines are practical first steps, particularly for assistance with limited funding.

What are the work-study opportunities at Tacoma Community College?

Eligible TCC students may be able to combine coursework with part-time employment, including Federal Work-Study positions. Federal Work-Study is need-based financial aid earned through a job; it is not a grant paid in advance and does not guarantee that a position will be available.

Students interested in work-study should complete the applicable financial aid application, review their aid offer, and follow TCC's student employment instructions for finding and applying to openings. Ordinary part-time jobs do not require a work-study award, while internships may carry different academic and employer requirements. Working students should also consider whether a job schedule can accommodate labs, clinical placements, or courses offered at specific times.

For career planning beyond a campus job, TCC's advising and career resources can help students explore occupations and connect academic choices to employment goals. Students seeking résumé feedback, job-search help, or internship guidance should check the current services and appointment options rather than assume that a particular service is included in every program.