Renton Technical College

3000 NE Fourth St
Renton, WA 98056
Top Ranked (2024-25): View Rankings
  • Renton Technical College prepares a diverse student population for work, fulfilling the employment needs of individuals, business and industry.

School Highlights

Renton Technical College serves 3,097 students (35% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is higher than the state community college average of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority American and Black), which is more than the state average of 90%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 3,097 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,735
  • Out-state tuition: $4,735
  • Student:teacher ratio: 12:1
  • Minority enrollment: 95%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Renton Technical College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Washington for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 257 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Renton Technical College
(WA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
Four or more years
Four or more years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
257 staff
353 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Renton Technical College and community college average number of faculty in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Renton Technical College has declined by 17% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 has decreased from 15:1 over five years.
The Renton Technical College diversity score of 0.75 is more than the state average of 0.73. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,097 students
3,720 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Renton Technical College and community college average number of enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Renton Technical College and community college average student staff ratio of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
1,075 students
1,814 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Renton Technical College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
2,022 students
1,906 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Renton Technical College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Renton Technical College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Washington.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
228 students
384 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,075 students
1,814 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Renton Technical College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,022 students
1,906 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
140 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
11%
8%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
10%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Black
10%
15%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of Black community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
5%
10%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of White community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
23%
46%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
40%
11%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Renton Technical College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in Washington by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
n/a
4%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Renton Technical College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Washington.
Diversity Score
0.75
0.73
This chart displays the diversity score of Renton Technical College and the community college average diversity score of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
63%
30%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Renton Technical College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Washington by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
0.5738%
0.3575%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$36,700
$36,400
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Renton Technical College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Washington by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,735 is more than the state average of $4,105. The in-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $4,735 is less than the state average of $7,359. The out-state tuition has declined by 19% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,735
$4,105
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Renton Technical College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$4,735
$7,359
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Renton Technical College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
73%
58%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Renton Technical College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$7,807
$11,794
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Renton Technical College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,961
$6,292
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Renton Technical College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Washington by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • In 1942, Renton Technical College came into existence as a war production school. Throughout the duration of World War II, the College provided customized pre-employment training and job upgrading-retraining. After the war, the College became a state-funded vocational school with the mission of assisting industry in converting from a war-time to a peace-time economy. For the next 20 years, the College conducted a large number of upgrading-retraining classes and a small number of high quality training programs. The second 50 years, beginning in 1991, were marked by the conversion of the state's vocational-technical institutes to technical colleges. As part of this change, governance was shifted to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and authorization was given to grant two year, sub-baccalaureate degrees and certificates of completion. Degrees are awarded in 36 preparatory programs, in apprenticeship and through three general occupational degree programs. Certificates are currently provided in 80 programs. Renton Technical College's central campus is located on 30 acres just north of N.E. 3rd Street in Renton, Washington, where 12 permanent structures and four portable buildings house the majority of the college's training facilities. Additionally, the college operates numerous satellite locations throughout King County. Renton Technical College's service area encompasses the Renton, Kent, Auburn, Tahoma, and Enumclaw School Districts, and the central and south portions of the Seattle School District. Renton Technical College provides relevant quality training and education, giving our students the skills and opportunity to compete in the job market. Our 73 specialized career training programs replicate the work environment, training our students on equipment used in today's workplace. Our training areas includes Automotive, Business Technology, Construction and Building, Cosmetology, Education and Human Services, (Allied) Health, Hospitality, Manufacturing and Product Services and Technology. Renton Technical College (RTC) is one of 34 colleges in the State of Washington operated by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. RTC's goal is to provide job training in the shortest period of time at the least cost – an important concept for both the student and the Washington taxpayer. Vocational training at the College is comprised of three programs: full-time, initial job training; part-time, retraining or upgrading existing skills; and apprenticeship-related instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Renton Technical College cost?
Renton Technical College's tuition is approximately $4,735 for In-State students and $4,735 for Out-State students.
What is Renton Technical College's ranking?
Renton Technical College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Washington for: Average community college minority breakdown and Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 3,097 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,735
  • Out-state tuition: $4,735
  • Student:teacher ratio: 12:1
  • Minority enrollment: 95%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Washington public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,105 per year for in-state students and $7,359 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $19,532 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Washington is 96%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Washington community colleges have a diversity score of 0.73, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in Washington is Highline College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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