Accreditation
Measures for educational performance, integrity and quality
TCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Accreditation is the nationally and regionally mandated process of recognizing education institutions for performance, integrity and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public. It validates the degrees/certificates we offer through the Dept. of Education, and secures Title IV federal funding (teaching, research, financial aid).
Accreditation for the College is done through an independent peer review. The goal is to establish and maintain an acceptable quality of educational programs and institutional effectiveness. The accreditation process is a seven year cycle, which recently concluded in Spring 2021 with a successful accreditation. You can see all past reports at the bottom of the page.
Our Upcoming Important Dates are:
April 25-26, 2024: Year 3 – Mid-Cycle Evaluation
Spring 2028: Year 6 – Standard 2 – Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review
Spring 2029: Year 7 – Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness
The Process
Regional Accreditation Statement
Tacoma Community College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.
Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding an institution's accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution.
Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
425-558-4224
www.nwccu.org
Accreditation and Related Materials
Questions about accreditation?
Contact Katie Gulliford
Executive Director: Strategic Initiatives
NWCCU Accreditation at TCC
Financial Statement Audits
The College undergoes an annual financial statement audit as part of the Accreditation Process (NWCCU Standard 2.E.1), and the College has received a clean (unmodified) opinion on our financial statement audits noted below.
If you have questions on any of these financial statements, please contract Patty McCray-Roberts at 253-566-5050, or email pmccray-roberts@soadonefnet.com.
Financial Statements