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Facts and Information

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Facts and Information 2023-10-11T11:39:23+00:00

Facts and Information

Highline College Library Resources

About Us

Highline College is nationally and internationally recognized as a premier community college, a reputation earned through the development of an institutional culture that values innovation, globalization of curriculum and community participation. Highline is one of 34 community and technical colleges in Washington state.

highline-college-students

Location

Highline’s main campus is located on an 80-acre site in Des Moines, Washington. Classes are also offered at The Hub: Federal Way Higher Education Center, theMarine Science and Technology (MaST) Center at Redondo Beach and additional locations in the community.

highline-college-finish-high-school

Mission Statement

As a South King County college striving for social justice, Highline College partners with global students as they envision, plan and achieve their educational and professional goals.

Accreditation

Highline is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.

Governance

Highline is led by President John R. Mosby, Ph.D., and governed by a five-member Board of Trustees: Travis Exstrom, Jesse Johnson, Sharmila Swenson, Joe Bowman and a currently vacant seat. Faculty members are actively involved in campus governance.

Photo of Dr. John Mosby

Organizational Chart
Board of Trustees
President John R. Mosby
Vice President for
Administration
Michael Pham
Vice President for
Academic Affairs
Emily Lardner
Interim Vice President for
Student Services
Jamilyn Penn
Vice President for
Institutional Advancement
Josh Gerstman
Vice President for
Equity, Diversity and Transformation
Maribel Jimenez

Highline’s Funding Sources

$75.5 Million

For the 2022-23 academic year, Highline received $75.5 million in funding.

54%

State Support

46%

Student Tuition and Fees; Other

Quarterly Tuition (2023-24 academic year)Cost
Lower Division Courses:
Resident (full time/15 credits) $1,541
Nonresident (full time/15 credits)$3,524
Upper Division Courses:
Resident (full time/15 credits)$2,463
Nonresident (full time/15 credits)$6,813

Economic Impact of Highline College

Having a college in the community is not only a boon for nearby students, but also for those who have never set foot on campus. Why? Highline contributes to the economic vibrancy of the area. For every $1 invested at Highline during 2014–15, society gained $9.80 in added taxes and public sector savings, according to a study by Economic Modeling Specialists International (“Analysis of the Return on Investment and Economic Impact of Education,” Dec. 2016). Learn more and read the full study at “Study Shows Highline Added $631.5 Million to Economy.”

Read Full Report

Economic Development

Highline contributes to the economic development of South King County by providing no-cost business training and one-to-one technical assistance for new and existing businesses. Such assistance helps local businesses achieve sustainability and self-efficiency. In 2022, Highline provided 1,219 hours of service to more than 241 clients and helped launch 11 new businesses, 637 jobs supported, and generated $6.7 million in loans, grants and investments. Businesses served report $7.5 million increase in revenue. Highline’s economic development initiatives include the Small Business Development Center and StartZone.

Economic Benefits of International Students

The organization NAFSA: Association of International Educators estimated that international students and their dependents contributed approximately $917.3 million to Washington state’s economy for the 2017-18 academic year (the most recent year for which figures are available). This translated into 592 direct and indirect jobs in the 9th Congressional District. Highline’s international students contributed approximately $17.47 million to the local economy that year through tuition costs and living expenses.

$917.3 million

$917.3 million contributed to the state’s economy

592 direct and indirect Jobs

592 direct and indirect jobs in the 9th Congressional District

$17.47 million

$17.47 million (approx.) contributed to the local economy

The Area We Serve

Highline College is one of 34 community and technical colleges in Washington state and serves the people of King County.

View District Map (pdf)

Employment

As of fall 2023, approximately 724 people work at Highline, serving students at multiple locations throughout King County.

Degrees and Programs

Highline offers comprehensive community college programs as well as new bachelor’s degrees in seven high-demand programs: Cybersecurity and Forensics, Global Trade and Logistics, Integrated Design, Respiratory Care, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Youth Development.

Highline offers more than 100 degrees and certificates within eight pathways. Associate degrees include courses that transfer to four-year colleges or universities while applied associate degrees and/or certificates in professional-technical education programs are designed to help students succeed in today’s marketplace. Students also come to Highline for pre-college, basic education and short-term training programs as well as continuing education.

Foundation

Highline College FoundationEstablished in 1972, the Highline College Foundation is a nonprofit corporation governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. As of June 30, 2023, the Foundation’s investments exceeded $6 million. The Foundation supports scholarships, emergency assistance to students, faculty professional development and technology. Under the leadership of its president Kevin Morin, and its Board of Directors, the Highline College Foundation is actively expanding its capacity to raise external funds. For the year ending June 30, 2023, the Foundation awarded more than $703,000 in scholarship and emergency funding.

Visit the Foundation Website

History

Highline College Student HistoryHighline was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. It serves 13,000 students and has over 350,000 alumni. The campus was built in 1964 with additional buildings added in following years to meet student and technology needs.

Learn More About Highline’s History