Location

Highline College is located in Des Moines, Washington, just 25 minutes from Seattle and 11 kilometers south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Our college campus is the closest higher education institution to 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 600 international students, study on campus. Its residential setting in the Seattle area makes Highline 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 College has a long-standing reputation for academic excellence. Highline College is a public two and four-year institution that offers the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Science (for university transfer), Associate of Applied Science (for career training), and Bachelor of Applied Science Degrees in areas such as:

University Transfer

Art
Accounting
Biology
Business Administration
Chemistry
Computer Science
Education
Engineering
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Music
Psychology
Nursing
Pre-medical, Law, Dental

Career Training

Business
Computer Information Systems
Drafting and Design Technology
Early Childhood Education
International Business
Graphic Design
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Interior Design
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Travel and Transportation

4-year Bachelor of Applied Science degrees

Global Trade and Logistics
Cybersecurity and Forensics
Respiratory Care
Youth Development

Transferable Honors Program

Highline College’s honors program prepares students for the rigorous entry requirements at more selective universities. Services include:

• Academic advising
• Scholarship and university application assistance to 4-year universities

• Dormitory for International Students available on campus

Participating students have received over $18 million in university scholarships since 2001. Highline students can also receive a guaranteed Highline merit scholarship for completing the program.

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, MIT, Cornell University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, California State University schools, 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

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, applying to stay at our on-campus dormitory, or living with an American family, and student events and activities.

Low Cost Tuition

Tuition is $10,700 per year and expenses are estimated to be $9,300. Total costs for about one year are estimated to be $20,000. Tuition is a fraction of what a student would expect to pay at a university.

Great Scholarship Opportunities Available to International Students!

Scholarships available in Leadership and Academics

ESL

An intensive English as a second language program is available for students that have not taken or achieved a score of 480 (paper-based test), 54 (internet-based test) on the TOEFL exam, or at least 5.0 on the IELTS exam (across all bands). This program is offered by Kaplan International Programs at Highline College. Students that complete the higher intermediate level (Level 4) at Kaplan are admitted directly into the academic program without having to take the TOEFL exam.