Pierce College District
Pierce College District — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Pierce College District at a Glance
Pierce College is a public community college system in Pierce County, Washington, United States. It comprises two primary colleges, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood and Pierce College Puyallup in Puyallup, and two additional learning centers. The colleges are operated by the Pierce College District, which is overseen by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC). The district is led by chancellor Julie A. White; the two colleges also have their own presiden…
1967
59 years old
Identity
Is Pierce College District Worth It?
At a value score of 36/100, Pierce College District is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $47,532 — 12% below average — while paying $10,222/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 31% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Pierce College District has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Pierce College District compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in WA
Ranked #183 of 283 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #4 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #5 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #6 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #183 | Pierce College District | 36 | $10,222 | $47,532 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Pierce College District's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 23 in WA.
Best Programs at Pierce College District
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Pierce College District. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $10,222/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lakewood, WA
- Student Body
- 5,313 students
- Graduation Rate
- 31%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $10,222
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,532
- Median Student Debt
- $12,000