Pierce College Fort Steilacoom | Field Guide 2022

Pierce College logo

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom is part of the Pierce College District, a community college district serving more than 13,000 students annually. Founded in 1967, the college now offers 26 associate degrees, 52 professional certificates and six applied bachelor’s degrees designed to prepare students for academic transfer and career success.

By offering affordable and accessible programs, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom helps people of every age and background to learn and thrive in today’s economy. Whether students are 16 or 60, just out of high school or working adults, our college prepares them for the next step up in life. As a community college that serves a large number of lower-income students and students of color, our college is key to creating a stronger and more inclusive economy.

Print Pierce Fort Steilacoom's Guide

Key Facts

Highest Enrolled Programs

Academic Transfer AA
Biology DTA/MRP*
Business DTA/MRP
Nursing AAS and
Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP
Science Transfer AS

*Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program

Enrollment

Headcount (all sources): 13,520
FTES (all sources): 7,502
Headcount (state-funded): 8,991
FTES (state-funded): 3,982

Students in Selected Programs

Applied bachelor's: 252
I-BEST: 112
International: 227
Running Start: 2,268
Worker Retraining: 194

Student Profile

Type of Student

Academic/transfer: 58%
Basic skills: 6%
Other: 12%
Workforce education: 23%

Race/Ethnicity*

American Indian/Alaska Native: 4%
Asian: 15%
Black/African American: 15%
Hispanic/Latino: 20%
Pacific Islander: 4%
White: 67%

Attendance

Full-time: 57%
Part-time: 43%

Family and Finances

Students receiving need-based financial aid: 37%
Students with children: 39%

Gender

Female: 65%
Male: 35%

Median age

Points of Interest

Approved to offer 6 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees

Pierce College currently offers five Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, with one more pending approval by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities: Dental Hygiene, P-3 Teaching, Homeland Security Emergency Management, Applied Business Management and Fire Services Leadership and Management. Starting fall 2022, Pierce will also offer a BAS in Construction Management. These degrees are an important part of our Guided Pathways movement, providing students with comprehensive program maps to equip them with the skills to succeed in their chosen career.

Leading college for military affiliated students

Pierce College at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) delivers university transfer and professional-technical pathways to active-duty military, reserves, veterans and families, with flexible policies to help them succeed. Our use of open educational resources has saved students $3 million since 2015. The college is also a leader in Veterans Industry Education 25, a partnership between community and technical colleges, state agencies, and the armed forces, offering transitioning service members education to prepare for Washington’s most in-demand industries. As a result of our service to veterans, Pierce College was ranked the No. 1 community college in the nation for veterans — and top college overall in the Northwest by the Military Times.

Focused on equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity and inclusion is a priority in all we do and is key to our mission at Pierce College. We are committed to being an anti-racist institution by deliberately working to eliminate obstacles that have prevented the most promising and capable students from entering and thriving in college. We continue to dismantle barriers to student achievement, with a special emphasis on historically marginalized populations. We work hard to ensure every student at Pierce College feels valued, respected and inspired to achieve their goals.

Data is from the 2020-21 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted. Data is for Pierce College District.

*May not add up to 100% because students may be counted in more than one race. Percentages calculated on reported value.