Pierce College

Pierce College is a highly recognized and affordable community college in Washington State with a population of around 10,000 total students and 200 international students representing 40 countries worldwide. Since 1967, Pierce College has been helping students achieve their educational and career goals as part of the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges system.

The college focuses on student success by creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

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, meaning 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

Many international students choose Pierce College because it is affordable, has great transfer pathways to top universities, small class sizes, and modern facilities. Pierce College has advisors and resources to help international students plan for the next step in their education. The college also provides a safe environment and helpful services to make sure students feel comfortable and supported.

Pierce College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which is approved by the U.S. Department of Education.

The college has also won national awards for its focus on student success, including being named a finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and an Achieving the Dream award recipient.

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.

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.

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.

Pierce College provides modern and well-equipped facilities to enhance student learning and ensure that every student has the resources needed to complete their studies in confidence. The college invests in sustainability-conscious buildings and technologies and campuses are designed for accessibility, with dedicated spaces for collaboration and relaxation.

The library and learning centers at both the Fort Steilacoom and Puyallup campuses provide a range of individual and group study spaces, IT support, and access to an extensive collection of books, journals, and other research materials.

Athletic facilities include gymnasiums, fitness centers, and outdoor playing fields, encouraging an active student lifestyle. The college also provides a superb range of learning technologies, with modern computer labs, high-speed internet, and specialized industry-standard equipment for students on programs like nursing and engineering.

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:

1. Financial Need: A clear explanation of financial challenges.
2. Personal Statement/Short Answers: Concise, well-written responses with attention to grammar and spelling.
3. Educational Goals: A detailed account of academic objectives at Pierce College and beyond.
4. Accomplishments and Engagement: Evidence of achievements, contributions, and extracurricular involvement.
5. Letter of Recommendation: A professional endorsement of the applicant's qualifications

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.