At $10,123/yr net price, Pierce College District graduates earn $47,532/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,532/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,123 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,492 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,532/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,532/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,248/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,417/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,579/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,936/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,315/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | $10,217 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
31.2% of students at Pierce College District graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Pierce College District gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with modest earnings on the other side. You pay about $10,123 a year and leave with median debt of $12,000, which is small compared to most four-year schools. The catch is the payoff: median earnings ten years out sit at $47,532, and only 31% of students finish. Those two numbers are the whole story here.
The 31% graduation rate is the biggest financial risk at Pierce. If you borrow and don't finish, you carry debt with no credential to show for it, and two-thirds of students land in that zone. Cheap tuition only pays off if you actually complete. Go in with a clear plan to graduate, or the low sticker price stops mattering.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48k, you pay around $8,300 a year. at $48-75k it climbs past $10,500, and above $110k you pay over $16,000. The aid clearly tilts toward students with less, so the value proposition is strongest if your family income is under $48k.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any specific-major payoff claim with caution. What you can rely on is the district median of $47,532, which points to solid-but-not-high returns typical of applied and technical fields feeding the local Lakewood and Tacoma job market.
Pierce is a good fit if you want to keep debt low, live in the region, and have a concrete completion plan. Look elsewhere if you need high earnings to justify the cost or if you're unsure you'll finish, since the odds of leaving without a degree are real. For a determined lower-income student, the math works. For everyone else, it's a mixed bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pierce College District worth the cost?
Pierce College District offers decent value at $10,123 per year with relatively low debt ($12,000 median), but the 31% graduation rate is concerning. Your return depends heavily on completing a high-paying program like dental support services or nursing.
What are the highest paying programs at Pierce College District?
Dental support services leads at $74,576 annually, followed by nursing at $47,260. Business and health administration programs pay significantly less at around $30,000-32,000.
How much debt do Pierce College District graduates typically have?
The median debt is $12,000, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with only 31% of students graduating, many accumulate debt without completing their programs.
Does Pierce College District have good job placement after graduation?
Graduates earn $47,532 on average 10 years later, which provides a reasonable return given the low cost. The key challenge is actually graduating, as two-thirds of students don't finish their programs.