Shoreline Community College, also known as Msquare, is a public institution. It is part of the Washington state community college system and receives funding from state and local governments. Public colleges like Shoreline offer lower tuition rates, particularly for in-state residents, compared to private institutions.
As a public community college, Shoreline focuses on accessible education, workforce training, and transfer programs to four-year universities. It operates under state regulations and adheres to policies set by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, distinguishing it from private colleges that rely more on tuition and private funding.