2025 Guide to Top Online Colleges Near Tacoma, Washington
Looking for information about the best online colleges and universities serving Tacoma? Here's your guide to the top schools offering online degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 20 miles of Tacoma, Washington.
There are at least 8 colleges serving the area by offering distance learning programs, including 3 nonprofit online colleges, 0 for-profit online colleges, and 5 community colleges offering 2-year online degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of online colleges serving Tacoma, with details about trends, school type, online degree offerings, and online program completions. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Tacoma, Washington Online Colleges by the Numbers
Online associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Tacoma, Washington have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2022, students completed 1,728 distance education degree programs at online colleges and universities near Tacoma. That was an increase of 404% from completions reported in 2018.
Schools with Distance Education Completions
Est. Total Online Completions in 2022
Est. Online Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top Online College for Busy Adults & Transfer Students
Franklin University is a top choice for online learners, transfer students and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Adult Students
77%
Undergraduate Cost / Credit Hour
Best Nonprofit Online Colleges Serving Tacoma, Washington
There are at least 3 nonprofit 4-year schools serving Tacoma, Washington, where students completed 1,897 distance education degree programs. Of those schools, 3 were private nonprofit institutions and 1 was a public school. Browse through the listing below to learn more about these nonprofit online colleges serving Tacoma, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Tacoma, Washington area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2022, 1,011 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 94 associate degrees, 676 master's degrees, and 39 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,820
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pacific Lutheran University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Pacific Lutheran University. In 2022, 3 distance education master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
0%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
3
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Faith International University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Faith International University. In 2022, 34 distance education bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 33 master's degrees, and 7 doctoral degrees were completed as distance education programs.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
74
Best Online Community Colleges Near Tacoma, Washington
Looking for a 2-year school or online community college near Tacoma? According to 2022 data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, there were 5 two-year schools near Tacoma, Washington where students completed 1,550 distance education degree programs. Browse through the listing below to learn more about each of the online community colleges near Tacoma, including an estimate about online degree availability and popular online degree programs. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pierce College District is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and most programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
84%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
1,465
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Highline College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
2%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
23
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Bates Technical College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
9%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
24
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Clover Park Technical College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
3%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
12
Online Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Tacoma Community College is an institutionally accredited for profit 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Est. Online Degree Offerings
2%
Est. Online Completions By Degree Type
26
Affordable Online Colleges Near Tacoma, Washington
Wondering what you can expect to pay for an online degree near Tacoma, Washington? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Tacoma-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $22,839. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Tacoma is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Online Colleges Serving Tacoma, Washington
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a college degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs near Tacoma, Washington is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited online colleges and universities serving Tacoma, Washington here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Faith International University
- Pacific Lutheran University
- Pierce College District
- Highline College
- Bates Technical College
- Clover Park Technical College
- Tacoma Community College