Pierce College District
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 29.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $29.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $29.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,158,286.
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What The Data Says
A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
Graduation of 31% — 46% below the national average.
Every $1 invested returns $29.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Pierce College District Matters
Pierce College District is a public community college in Lakewood, WA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 5,313
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Pierce College District
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $10,222 a year after grants and scholarships — 40% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $47,532 ten years after enrolling — 17% above the typical college, against $12,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.39 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
At Pierce College District, you'll find a welcoming environment that suits a diverse range of students, particularly those interested in practical fields like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, and Education. With an enrollment of about 5,300, the college fosters a close-knit community where students can thrive academically and personally.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the earnings potential is promising, with graduates making an average of $47,532 within a decade of completing their studies. Affordability also plays a key role here, with a net price of $10,222 after aid, which makes it feasible for many to pursue their education without overwhelming debt. It’s important to note that 23% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting that financial support is available for those who need it.
In terms of finances, the median debt for graduates stands at $12,000, which is quite manageable compared to the earnings. Students who tend to thrive at Pierce College are often those who are focused and take advantage of the supportive community and available resources. The combination of affordable tuition, supportive programs, and a clear path to employment makes Pierce a solid choice for many aspiring professionals.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Pierce College District is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pierce College District? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Pierce College District, located in Lakewood, Washington, enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 31%.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pierce College District? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
When weighing the true cost of attending Pierce College District, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $5,976 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $10,222 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,816 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $12,000.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Pierce College District Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Pierce College District earn a median of $47,532, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.
Earnings Trajectory
How Pierce Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Pierce College District Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Pierce College District delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $10,222/year ($40,888 total). Graduates earn $47,532 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,199,174 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,158,286 (29.3× your investment). The median debt is $12,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 31% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields Pierce College District awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Pierce College District's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Pierce College District? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Pierce College District, located in Lakewood, Washington, enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 31%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Pierce College District? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending Pierce College District, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $5,976 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $10,222 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,816 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $12,000.
Is Pierce College District Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of Pierce College District earn a median of $47,532, roughly in line with national averages for graduates.
How Connected Is Pierce College District? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks +
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at Pierce College District, with an economic connectedness score of 1.39 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Pierce College District.
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Pierce College District? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at Pierce College District, with an economic connectedness score of 1.39 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note