Location

Highline Community College is located in Des Moines, Washington, just 20 minutes from Seattle and 11 kilometers south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The 80-acre site offers a spectacular view of the Puget Sound waterway and Olympic Mountains. Over 10,000 students, including 260 international students, study on campus. Its residential setting in the Seattle area makes Highline Community College an ideal choice for students that want to combine opportunities for cultural and recreational activities with a world-class education.

Academics

Founded in 1961, Highline Community College has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. The college is a public two-year institution that offers the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science (for university transfer) and Associate of Applied Science (for career training) degrees in areas such as:

Outstanding Transfer Record

Classes taken for the Associate of Arts degree are the same as the first two-years of general education courses required at university. Students from Highline have successfully transferred to the University of Washington, Washington State University, Seattle University, New York University, Ohio State University, and others.

Facilities

Facilities include a six-story library that contains over 100,000 items. A bookstore, cafeteria, computer center with internet and e-mail access, soccer field, running track, and tennis courts are also available for student use.

Services for International Students

• New student orientation
• International leadership opportunities
• Internships and volunteer activities
• Scholarship opportunities
• Study Abroad programs

The faculty and staff are dedicated to helping students meet their educational and personal goals. All classes are taught by experienced professors, not teaching assistants. Small classes that average about 25 students help create a comfortable setting for interaction between students and teachers. There are also numerous clubs and activities available for students to participate in to improve their English and make new friends.

Support and assistance in all matters of concern to international students is provided by staff in the International Student Programs Office. This includes assistance in admissions, orientation, academic advising, university transfer, cultural adjustment, personal and health issues, immigration, finding an apartment or living with an American family, and student events and activities.

Low Cost Tuition

Tuition is $8,400 per year and expenses are estimated to be $8,100. Total costs for about one year are estimated to be $16,500. Tuition is a fraction of what a student could expect to pay at University.

Great Scholarship Opportunities Available to International Students!

ESL

An intensive English as a second language program is available for students that have not taken or achieved a score of 480 on the TOEFL exam. This program is offered by Kaplan International Programs at Highline Community College. Students that complete the highest Kaplan program are admitted directly into the academic program without having to take the TOEFL exam.