North Seattle College

Established in 1970, North Seattle College provides learning opportunities for a diverse group of more than 14,000 students each year. North is the starting point for many students who transfer to top universities across the country.

Strong academic preparation and advising services, small classes, an innovative integrated studies program, broad e-learning options and a variety of partnerships with four-year schools contribute to student success. The college also offers five Bachelor of Applied Science degrees -  Accounting with an International focus, Application Development.

Early Childhood Education, International Business, and Residential & Commercial Property Management- and all-in-the-evening Associate of Arts and Associate in Business degree programs.

The Seattle Colleges are working on developing a new Bachelors of Science in Computer Science, which will be administered by NSC. The planned start date is Fall 2022.

Successful Transfers & Career Training

While many graduates have continued their studies at such colleges as Dartmouth and UC Berkeley, most North students transfer to the University of Washington. In fact.

North consistently ranks among the highest of all community colleges in the number of students who are accepted to the University of Washington’s main campus. And North graduates fare well — earning competitive salaries and contributing to their communities.

North also provides outstanding career training in certificate programs, including in emerging fields such as sustainable and conventional energy and control technology. In addition, North helps students earn their GEDTM, learn English, enhance their basic skills and/or pursue a new skill or personal interest.

Rich Student Life

Students who attend North are immersed in a rich campus life. Concerts, lectures, fitness programs, an award-winning literary magazine and diverse student population that includes international students from countries around the world add depth to the student experience. 

Convenient Location

North is located in the largely residential Northgate area of Seattle and is conveniently located near the two major north-south highways, Interstate 5 and Highway 99, just a short drive to downtown and the University of Washington, and a short walk to and the city’s popular Greenlake Park.

The campus is connected by the John Lewis Memorial Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge to the newly developed Northgate Link Light Rail station, Northgate mall, the Kraken Practice Facility, and Thornton Place. The campus includes environmentally sensitive wetlands, which have inspired a college-wide commitment to sustainability. 

North Seattle College’s Institutional Effectiveness Plan, coupled with our District Strategic Plan, provide a roadmap with clear objectives for creating and sustaining a future that keeps student success at its center.

This roadmap enables all parts of the campus, from the high-level strategic planning, to unit-level planning, to see themselves in the plan and to integrate core themes and indicators into daily work.

The Institutional Effectiveness plan was formerly a five-year plan, but, in 2016, the college moved to a seven-year plan. The move allowed the college to be strategically aligned with the accreditation cycle and ensure active and scaled annual assessment of institutional effectiveness. The college recently submitted its Mid-Cycle Self-Evaluation Report for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.  

Our Mission

As an open-access learning institution, Seattle Colleges prepares each student for success in life and work, fostering a diverse, engaged, and dynamic community.

Our Vision

Seattle Colleges is recognized as an exemplary learning institution that transforms lives, promotes equity, and enriches the community.