Pierce College, USA - Ranking, Reviews, Courses, Tuition Fees

Overview

About Pierce College

Pierce College, located in Pierce County, Washington, was established in 1967 with a special goal of furthering education within the local community. Pierce College is a state-funded community college with two campuses in Lakewood and Puyallup.

The college’s International Education program comprises four distinct programs:

Intensive English Program, where students pick up skills for further study or a career
Associate degree for University Transfer, equivalent to first two years of bachelor’s degree coursework, students can transfer to universities across the US and complete their bachelor's degree
Professional/Technical Program, where students can earn degrees in a variety of fields
High School Completion, which enables international students to earn a high school diploma while completing a two-year associate degree

Pierce College strives to ensure that students remain at the forefront of all that happens on campus. The college has received awards and accolades for its work in pushing up graduation rates and for the overall success of its students. Pierce College was chosen by the Aspen Institute as a Top Community College for 2025. Additionally, Pierce College has been recognized among the Top 150 institutions in the last three Aspen Prize award cycles, earning a spot in the Top 10 twice and being named a Top 5 Rising Star in 2019.

Pierce College also offers excellent support services and rewarding avenues to engage with the campus and community. Students can access numerous leadership opportunities to develop academically, professionally, and personally.

Graduate outcomes

Pierce College graduates consistently achieve excellent outcomes, reflecting the institution’s dedication to academic success and workforce preparation. Many graduates transfer seamlessly to four-year universities, thanks to established transfer agreements with institutions like the University of Washington and Washington State University. These pathways ensure students continue their education with a strong academic foundation.

Career-oriented programs, such as nursing, veterinary technology, and information technology, boast high job placement rates. The college works closely with local industries to organize internships and apprenticeships for students that provide valuable hands-on experience and the enhancement of their professional resumé.

Pierce College Job & Career Connections supports students, alumni, staff, and community members with career services like resume assistance, job and internship searches, interview prep, and self-assessment tools. The college also organizes an annual employment and education fair to connect current students with potential future employers, and alumni frequently highlight these opportunities as pivotal in securing employment post-graduation.

What's new

Pierce College is at the forefront of innovation in community college education, consistently adapting to meet the needs of its diverse student body and making intelligent investments in its campus infrastructure and services.

The college's Puyallup campus recently unveiled the new Johnson Science Building, a 55,000-square-foot cutting-edge facility for STEM education. Designed to be “radically welcoming”, the building fosters inclusivity, encouraging students to see themselves as scientists and innovators.

The Johnson Science Building features a range of fully equipped classrooms, laboratories, collaborative learning spaces, and even a fabrication lab for student creativity. Sustainability is a key focus, with solar-ready capabilities and an Energy Use Intensity 61 percent lower than typical lab buildings. Its design also includes a sculpture by Native American glass artist Preston Singletary, reflecting Pierce College’s diverse and vibrant community.

The Olympic Building on the Fort Steilacoom campus is set to celebrate its grand re-opening in late April 2025, unveiling exciting new features for students and the community. Highlights include a state-of-the-art early childhood education facility with an innovative on-site laboratory school, providing hands-on learning opportunities. The building also boasts new fine arts facilities, complete with a performance space and an art gallery, fostering creativity and cultural engagement. Additionally, the co-location of Central Washington University enhances access to higher education pathways.

Finances

How much will it cost?

Average tuition fees per year

9,51,991 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

8,81,906 Vocational Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details

Scholarships & funding

Pierce College is committed to reducing financial barriers for students by offering various scholarships and funding options. Through the Pierce College Foundation, returning students can access a range of options and only need to submit one application for all scholarships offered online. The application system will automatically submit applications for any scholarships for which they are qualified.

The application asks for three short essays and a letter of recommendation. All essays must be written in English, and each scholarship application is reviewed by two or more reviewers. In the review process, the applicants are reviewed anonymously that means the reviewer does not see the name or contact information for the applicant. The application will be assessed on the following criteria:

Financial Need: A clear explanation of financial challenges.

Personal Statement/Short Answers: Concise, well-written responses with attention to grammar and spelling.

Educational Goals: A detailed account of academic objectives at Pierce College and beyond.

Accomplishments and Engagement: Evidence of achievements, contributions, and extracurricular involvement.

Letter of Recommendation: A professional endorsement of the applicant's qualifications

Eligibility

Entry requirements

Pierce College offers a range of degree programs and education certificates, aimed at various levels of academic study for students of at least 16 years of age. Pierce College offers open and rolling admissions and welcome students every three months with start dates in September, January, April, and July.

Prospective students are required to complete an application through the Pierce College admissions portal. Students do not need to have completed high school in order to enroll at Pierce College.

For college level admission, international students must submit additional documentation, including proof of English proficiency through tests like the TOEFL (minimum score of 61) or IELTS (minimum score of 5.5). Placement tests or transcripts from previous institutions may also be required for programs.

The Pierce College admissions team is available to contact all year round to answer any queries and questions.

Department and Faculty

Teaching quality

Pierce College is widely recognized for its teaching excellence and student-oriented learning environment. The college has achieved Aspen Prize recognition as one of the top 10 percent of community colleges in the United States. This accolade highlights Pierce College’s dedication to providing superb quality education that emphasizes critical thinking and academic rigor, while also ensuring students are well prepared to take on competitive career roles across a diversity of industries.

Faculty members bring a wealth of real-world expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom, working closely with students, and ensuring personalized guidance and mentorship. Small class sizes foster meaningful interactions between students and their tutors, encouraging active participation and plenty of opportunities for feedback.

Department structure

Pierce College offers a broad spectrum of academic and professional programs across its two main campuses and online education platform. Pierce College’s career pathways are designed to streamline the educational experience and simplify choices. Programs are grouped together to form clear paths through the college experience and into a career area, or further education field.

The college’s six pathways are:

Arts, Humanities, and Communication: Students develop cultural awareness and critical thinking in preparation for career areas such as social media, acting, graphic design, and journalism, gaining transferable skills for lifelong career mobility in creative fields.

Business: Students get ready for success in a truly global economy, building essential skills like communication, ethics, and leadership for careers in accounting, management, and entrepreneurship.

Education: Teaching careers are all about inspiring young minds and becoming an effective communicator and educator, whether early childhood, elementary, or secondary education.

Healthcare: High-demand fields like nursing, medicine, and allied health represent a large and diverse employment market, and students learn to apply their skills and knowledge to improve the lives of others in rewarding, team-oriented careers.

Social and Behavioral Sciences, Public Services: Students explore human behavior and societal institutions, in preparation for careers focusing on serving others in industries like public service, counseling, law enforcement, and politics.

STEM: Students learn to lead in cutting-edge technical fields such as biology, engineering, and computer science, fostering their intellectual curiosity and collaboration for success in competitive careers.