Notable Achievements and Awards

Highline’s commitment to diversity, social justice and multiculturalism earned the college awards and recognition.

Highline received a prestigious Award of Excellence from the American Association of Community Colleges twice in the past three years. In 2016, the AACC recognized President Jack Bermingham and the college’s five-member Board of Trustees for their exemplary collaboration and working relationship, and in 2014, Highline was recognized as a leader among the nation’s community colleges for increasing diversity as well as educational and social justice equity.

For the fourth consecutive year, Highline received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Highline was one of only two institutions in Washington — and one of only nine community colleges nationwide — to receive the 2016 award. The award is given annually by Insight into Diversity magazine.

Highline also earned national recognition from Community College Week as one of the top 100 associate degree producers in 2015. Highline ranked 64th out of the top 100 associate degree producers in the Asian-American student category, down slightly from its rank of 48th in 2014. Community College Week used data provided by the U.S. Dept. of Education for these rankings.

More Highline Awards

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.”

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 2020, Highline provided 1170 hours of service to more than 379 clients and helped launch 14 new businesses, 797 jobs supported, and generate $11.735 million in loans, grants and investments. Businesses served report $3.438 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.

Highline’s Funding Sources

$70.2 Million

For the 2020-21 academic year, Highline received $70.2 million in funding.

Special Initiatives, Grants and More

• AANAPISI Program (also see $1.5M AANAPISI Grant)

Download AANAPISI information sheet

• Achieve Program (also see $1.79M TPSID Grant)

Download Achieve information sheet

• Achieving the Dream
• Center of Excellence for Global Trade and Supply Chain Management
• College Spark Grant
• Community College Initiative (CCI)
• Cybersecurity Program (also see PRCCDC 2019)

Download Cybersecurity information sheet

• MESA Program: Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement
• Minority Male Community College Collaborative (M2C3)
• NSF Geoscience Grants (also see $1.34M NSF Grant)
• Puente Program
• StartZone

Download StartZone information sheet

• Teaching and Early Learning Program (also see Increasing Diversity of Teaching Corps)

Download Teaching and Early Learning information sheet

• TPSID: Transition Program for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (also see ACHIEVE Program)
• TRiO Student Support Services (also see $1.1M TRiO Grant)

Download TRiO information sheet

• Umoja Black Scholars Program

Download Umoja information sheet

• Washington Export Resource Center (WERC)
• Welcome Back Center

Serving Our Community

Approximately 85 percent of Highline’s students come from King County.

Highline Students by City‡

‡Top 11 cities of the students reporting

The Area We Serve

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

Download District Map

Employment

As of fall 2019, approximately 1,100 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 six pathways. Associate degrees provide preparation for transfer to four-year colleges or universities. 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.