Head-to-head · 2026
Olympic College vs Tacoma Community College
Compare average net price ($7,172 at Olympic College; $8,376 at Tacoma Community College), ROI score (15.05 vs 14.08), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($43,169 vs $47,168), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Olympic College; Open / not reported at Tacoma Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Olympic College | Tacoma Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.05 ✓ | 14.08 |
| Avg net price | $7,172 ✓ | $8,376 |
| 4-year avg net price | $28,688 ✓ | $33,504 |
| In-state tuition | $4,197 | $5,507 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,740 | $11,646 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $43,169 | $47,168 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 31% | 31.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | — | — |
| Median debt | $12,000 ✓ | $13,000 |
| Enrollment | 3,826 | 4,668 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Olympic College | Tacoma Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,214 ✓ | $7,112 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,852 ✓ | $7,691 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,923 | $8,108 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,468 ✓ | $12,371 |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,478 ✓ | $16,093 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Olympic College | Tacoma Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 29.7% | 36.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.3% | 3.9% |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 8.7% | 0.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.1% | 5.1% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 1.4% | 6% |
| General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations | 0% | 6.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 0.8% | 6.1% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 2% | 3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Olympic College reports the lower average net price by $1,204 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,816 difference over four years ($28,688 vs $33,504).
Tacoma Community College reports $3,999 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,168 vs $43,169). This is not earnings for a specific major.
Retention data is incomplete for at least one school. Compare the available graduation, debt, price and admissions context without treating a missing field as an advantage.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Olympic College vs Tacoma Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Olympic College is cheaper — average net price $7,172 per year vs $8,376 at Tacoma Community College. The annual difference of $1,204 adds up to about $4,816 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Tacoma Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,168 vs $43,169 at Olympic College. The gap in the federal data is $3,999. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.