Students at Highline College benefit from exceptional affordability that makes higher education accessible across income levels, with costs well below typical community college expenses.
Graduates achieve earnings that exceed expectations for similar students, demonstrating solid value despite the modest absolute earnings typical of community college outcomes.
Highline College is a public community college in Des Moines, Washington, serving as an accessible gateway to higher education for a diverse student population. Nearly 50% of students are first-generation college attendees, reflecting the institution's commitment to opening doors for families new to higher education. The college maintains affordable net prices across income levels, with low-income students paying around $9,875 annually and middle-income families facing costs of about $14,012.
As an "Opportunity Builders" institution, Highline College focuses on providing foundational education and career preparation rather than immediate high earnings outcomes. The college's completion rates reflect the challenges many community college students face, with a 39% six-year completion rate that includes students who transfer to four-year institutions. Graduates who complete programs earn a median of $47,869 ten years after enrollment, with earnings that exceed expectations by about $2,641 compared with similar institutions.
Highline College serves students who often juggle multiple responsibilities while pursuing their education. The institution's strength lies in its affordability and accessibility rather than in producing immediate high-earning graduates, making it a practical choice for students seeking to build foundational skills, complete prerequisites, or earn certificates in specific career fields before entering the workforce or transferring to complete bachelor's degrees.
Highline College's program offerings focus on providing foundational education and career preparation rather than specialized high-earning fields. As a community college, the institution emphasizes transfer preparation, workforce development, and certificate programs that serve the diverse needs of the Seattle metropolitan area. Students typically pursue general education requirements for transfer to four-year institutions or complete career-focused programs in fields such as healthcare support, business, and technical trades.
The college's approach prioritizes accessibility and flexibility over specialized program prestige. Many students use Highline as a cost-effective way to complete prerequisites before transferring to universities, while others pursue direct-entry career programs that provide immediate workforce skills. The modest earnings outcomes reflect this mission—graduates enter stable employment or continue their education rather than immediately accessing high-paying professional careers.
Program success at Highline should be measured by student progression rather than immediate earnings alone. The college serves students who often balance education with work and family responsibilities, providing flexible scheduling and support services that enable completion. For many students, particularly first-generation college attendees, Highline represents their first step into higher education and the foundation for longer-term career advancement through continued education or workforce experience.
Graduates of Highline College achieve modest but meaningful financial outcomes that reflect the institution's role as a community college serving diverse student needs. Ten years after enrollment, completers earn a median of $47,869, with earnings that exceed expectations by approximately $2,641 compared with similar students at other institutions. This earnings advantage, while not dramatic, demonstrates that the college provides solid value for students who complete their programs.
The college's return on investment must be understood within the context of its mission as a community college. Many students use Highline as a stepping stone to four-year institutions or as a pathway to specific career certifications rather than as a terminal degree destination. The relatively modest debt levels—with typical federal loan debt of $9,500—help ensure that graduates can manage their financial obligations even with community college-level earnings. About 105 graduates earn more than $75,000 annually, showing that some students do achieve substantial financial success after attending Highline.
For students who complete programs and enter the workforce directly, the college provides a foundation for steady employment in the Seattle metropolitan area. The earnings outcomes, while moderate, represent meaningful progress for many first-generation college students and working adults who might not otherwise have access to higher education opportunities.
Highline College stands out for its strong affordability across all income levels, making higher education accessible to a broad range of Washington families. Low-income students pay approximately $9,875 per year, well below typical community college costs, while middle-income families face annual expenses of about $14,012. Even higher-income families pay a reasonable $19,642 annually, reflecting the college's commitment to keeping education affordable for all students regardless of family financial circumstances.
The college's debt structure supports its affordability mission. Students who borrow typically take on modest federal loan amounts of about $9,500, a manageable level that reflects both the lower cost of attendance and the shorter duration of many community college programs. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $12,049, indicating that some families choose to contribute directly to educational costs rather than having students shoulder the full financial burden. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, suggesting that graduates can successfully manage their debt obligations given their earnings and the modest amounts borrowed.
This affordability profile makes Highline College particularly attractive to cost-conscious students and families who want to minimize educational debt while still accessing quality higher education. The combination of low net prices and manageable debt levels creates a sustainable financial pathway for students pursuing associate degrees, certificates, or using the college as a transfer platform to four-year institutions.
Highline College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
