Pierce College District
About Pierce College District
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Pierce College teaches in Lakewood and Puyallup, south of Tacoma, and on Joint Base Lewis-McChord beside it, so many of its students are soldiers or their families. It keeps dormitories, and business and nursing are its largest programs.
Founded
1967
Location
Lakewood, Washington
Students
5,313
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
30.8%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$5,418
Out-of-state: $5,976
Avg Net Price
$10,222
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$47,532
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
30.8% complete their degree within three years
Retention
Not reported
Transfer Out
20.1%
The federal survey collects no first-year retention cohort for this college.
Teaching Quality
20:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
94.8%
$/Student
$6.5K
Class Size
Large
The 30.8% graduation rate is below the national average of 44%. It's worth looking into what support systems the school offers to help you finish your degree.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$5,418
In-State
$5,976
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$17,982
Books & Supplies
$1,100
Total Cost of Attendance
$18,085
After Financial Aid
$10,222
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$7,816
Receive Grants
22.6%
Take Loans
11.4%
The total cost of attendance runs about $18,085/yr, including $17,982 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $10,222.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Pierce College District fund their education.
While in School
22.6%
Get Grants
Free money
11.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$26,391
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$12,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$127/mo
Monthly Payment
0.2%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $12,000, and less than 0.2% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Pierce College District.
Gender
63.4%
Female
37%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
5,313
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
45.3%
First-Gen
27 yrs
Avg Age
30.5%
Age 25+
With an average entry age of 27, the campus has more working adults and non-traditional students than most schools. You'll find classmates with real-world experience. 45.3% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
5,313
Students
community
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Quarter calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
No
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Pierce College District fields 6 varsity teams with 125 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
NWAC
Northwest Athletic Conference
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
6
Biggest: Soccer
Student Athletes
125
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
52% / 48%
65
Men
60
Women
3
Men's Teams
5
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Pierce College Districtearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$47,532
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$24K
1171 grads
1yr Earnings
Business/Commerce, General
—
89 grads
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
—
77 grads
Physical Sciences, General
—
41 grads
Biology, General
—
36 grads
Computer Software and Media Applications
—
32 grads
Graduates earn about $39K six years out, growing to $48K by year ten. Above average, though your choice of major will be the biggest factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pierce College District
How much does Pierce College District cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at Pierce College District?▾
How much do Pierce College District graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.