About Pierce College District
The financial picture makes Pierce College accessible to working families. Students pay an average net price of $10,123 after aid, with in-state tuition set at just $4,686 annually. Graduates typically leave with $12,000 in debt and earn a median salary of $47,532 ten years after starting college. Monthly loan payments average $127, making the debt manageable for most graduates. The 90% employment rate shows strong job placement success.
Women make up 64% of the student body, while nearly 98% of students come from Washington state. The district maintains small class sizes with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. Pierce College runs eight varsity sports programs with 127 total athletes competing. The quarter system allows for flexible scheduling, and students can live on campus with housing for 64 residents available.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 94.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 34.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 31.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $47,532
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $74,576 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $47,260 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $38,289 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $32,569 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $30,771 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $29,685 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,405 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $25,194 |
Campus Life
With only 64 spots available in campus housing and 4,487 total students, just 1.4% of students live on campus. Most commute from nearby communities and treat Pierce more like a job than a traditional college experience. The quarter system keeps pace quick, with many students balancing work alongside classes. Women make up 64.01% of enrollment, reflecting the college's strong programs in healthcare and education.
Weekends are quiet on campus since most students head home or work part-time jobs. The college focuses on practical career training rather than campus traditions. Students gather in the library or student center between classes, but the social scene happens off-campus in Tacoma's downtown or at nearby Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which draws many military-connected students.
- Setting
- City-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 64 beds
- Calendar System
- Quarter
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
45 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Domestic Violence | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 36°–46°F
- July Avg
- 54°–75°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 42.0"
- Annual Snowfall
- 5.6"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 36.0%
- Women
- 64.0%
- White
- 37.5%
- Black
- 10.4%
- Hispanic
- 20.1%
- Asian
- 8.1%
- In-State Students
- 97.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 20.2%
Location
- Address
- Lakewood, Washington 98498-1999
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $47,532
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $48,649
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $31,600
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 37.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $127/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $12,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the admission requirements at Pierce College District?
Pierce College District operates with open enrollment as a community college system, meaning students can generally enroll without competitive admissions. The college serves 4,487 students primarily from Washington state, with 97.77% of students coming from in-state. This accessibility makes Pierce an entry point for students seeking career training or planning to transfer to four-year universities.
How much does Pierce College District cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $10,123 annually at Pierce College District. In-state tuition runs just $4,686, making it one of the most affordable higher education options in Washington. Only 20.19% of students receive federal financial aid, reflecting the already low cost structure of the community college system.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Pierce College District?
Pierce College District maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The college operates on a quarter system and focuses heavily on career training alongside traditional academic transfer preparation. Students can choose from programs designed either for immediate workforce entry or for transferring to four-year institutions.
What are the graduation rates and job prospects at Pierce College District?
Pierce College District reports a 34.75% four-year graduation rate and 31.20% six-year completion rate. Graduates earn a median salary of $47,532 ten years after graduation, with a strong 90.0% employment rate. The college's career-focused programs prepare students for immediate workforce entry in Pierce County's growing economy.
Where do students live at Pierce College District?
Pierce College District offers limited on-campus housing with capacity for only 64 students. Most of the 4,487 enrolled students commute from the surrounding Lakewood area and broader Pierce County. The college primarily serves as a commuter campus reflecting its community college mission.
Does Pierce College District offer athletic programs?
Pierce College District fields 8 varsity sports teams with 127 total student-athletes participating. The athletic department awards $154,209 in scholarships annually to support student-athletes. These programs provide opportunities for competition while students pursue their academic goals in this diverse community college environment where women comprise 64.01% of enrollment.
