Universities in Tacoma, USA
- Rankings & Reviews -

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Tacoma
  • 19 Dec, 2023: Publication of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. University of Washington-Tacoma Campus ranked #1985.
  • 27 Oct, 2023: Us News published most recent results of US News Best National Liberal Arts Colleges. University of Puget Sound achieves position 89.
  • 31 Jul, 2023: New edition of Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities. 2 universities in Tacoma ranked.
  • 22 Jul, 2023: URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field (Business) updated with University of Washington-Tacoma Campus in position 1298.

Tacoma, Washington, on Puget Sound about 50 kms SW of Seattle, offers residents a wide variety of activities which let them enjoy both the city’s culture and the region's natural beauty, such as enjoying live music in one of its three theatres, or walking the Sequalitchew Creek Trail.

Tacoma has an impressive variety of options for eating, drinking and socialising in different neighbourhoods, from the alternative and artsy downtown, to the eclectic 6th Ave or Proctor. The city’s reputation is one of the many reasons why students are happy to come from afar to study here.


Rankings of universities in Tacoma, USA 2024

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 114 student ratings)
Card image

  • #158 
  • #159 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #319 
  • #321 
Forbes: America's Top Colleges
[Published 30 August, 2022]
  • #91 
  • #89 
US News Best National Liberal Arts Colleges
[Published 27 October, 2023]
Show 4 more rankings of University of Puget Sound and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

Student satisfaction: 4.6 / 5.0 (based on 1245 student ratings)
  • #526 
  • #545 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #193 
  • #193 
Forbes: America's Top Colleges
[Published 30 August, 2022]
  • #241 
  • #1985 
URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
[Published 19 December, 2023]
Show 1 more rankings of University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

  • #331 
  • #333 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #295 
  • #301 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #369 
  • #374 
Forbes: America's Top Colleges
[Published 30 August, 2022]
Show 4 more rankings of Pacific Lutheran University and subject specific rankings for 2 subjects

Highest subject rankings of universities in Tacoma

Nursing & Health Care Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#74 
Pacific Lutheran University
Computer Science Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#88 
University of Puget Sound

Student Opinions About Studying in Tacoma

“There’s so much to do in Tacoma that I never get bored, whether it be outdoor activities, or going to parks and cafes with my friends. I’ve met lovely people here and I’m just halfway through my Nursing degree at Pacific Lutheran so far. The only bad thing about Tacoma is the winter, it’s always cloudy and it rains a lot, but I’ve gotten used to it now.”

“Living here is affordable compared to some cities. The crime rate is a problem, but the residents let you know which places to avoid going alone at night. The weather tends to be rainy, but even so the nature in these parts is so attractive that you don’t mind getting out in it.”

Tacoma Key Facts for International Students

PROS

  • Tacoma is an affordable place to live, costing less in terms of groceries, gasoline and rent compared to the neighbouring city of Seattle.

  • The city is known to have beautiful outdoor spaces with parks, gardens and forests nearby.

  • Tacoma has a lot of music culture, and residents are able to find live shows in almost every corner of the city.

CONS

  • The rainy season lasts roughly six months, which is just a fact of life in Tacoma. On the positive side, this encourages the plant life of the natural scenery that Tacoma is so well known for.
  • One undeniable issue that Tacoma struggles with is that the city has crime rates higher than the national average.

3 out of 3 Universities in Tacoma Ranked in at least one ranking

9 Different Rankings list Universities in Tacoma (8 institution and 1 subject rankings)

Time: GMT -4

District/province: La Paz,

Living costs for students in Tacoma:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 92* (8% cheaper than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 73* (27% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 87* (13% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 35.64 BOB
  • Plug Type A
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Plug Type B
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz

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FAQ

University of Puget Sound ranks #1 in Tacoma in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Tacoma Pacific Lutheran University is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 10 rankings where Pacific Lutheran University is listed.

Pacific Lutheran University is ranked best in Tacoma for Medicine & Health (Nursing & Health Care). See all rankings for the Pacific Lutheran University.

University of Puget Sound is ranked best in Tacoma for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the University of Puget Sound.

Ranking publishers

Forbes

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Kiplinger

Criteria used in ranking -Kiplinger's Best College Values:

Quality Criteria 55% Cost Criteria 45%

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MONEY

Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value:

Quality of education 33.33% Affordability 33.33% Outcomes 33.33%

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Payscale

Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):

Ranking is based on ROI

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Urap

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Us News

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Wallstreet Journal USA & THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings:

Outcomes 40% (employability) Resources 30% Engagement 20% (teaching) Environment 10% (diversity)

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Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

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