
Pierce College Puyallup | Field Guide 2023
Pierce College Puyallup 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 Puyallup 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.
Key Facts
Highest Enrolled Programs
- Nursing AAS
- Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP
- Science Transfer AS
- Business DTA/MRP
- Biology DTA/MRP
*Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program
Enrollment
- Headcount (all sources): 13,008
- FTES (all sources): 6,896
- Headcount (state-funded): 8,262
- FTES (state-funded): 3,471
Students in Selected Programs
- Applied bachelor's: 225
- Apprentices: 15
- I-BEST: 59
- International: 231
- Running Start: 1,994
- Worker Retraining: 190
Student Profile
Type of Student
- Academic/transfer: 59%
- Basic skills: 6%
- Workforce education: 19%
- Other: 16%
Race/Ethnicity*
Students of color: 51%
- American Indian/Alaska Native: 4%
- Asian: 15%
- Black/African American: 16%
- Hispanic/Latino: 20%
- Pacific Islander: 4%
- White: 66%
Attendance
- Full-time: 53%
- Part-time: 47%
Family and Finances
- Students receiving need-based financial aid: 37%
- Students with dependents: 38%
Gender
- Female: 64%
- Male: 36%
Median age
21
Points of Interest
Nursing students well prepared for demanding careers
Pierce College Puyallup’s nursing program provides equitable opportunities for students to respond to the racial diversity needs of the health care sector. The program has been ranked as one of the top nursing programs in the state, ranked No. 1 by RNCareers.org, and No. 2 by RegisteredNursing.org. In 2020, the college also launched a new part-time LPN to RN program, allowing working LPNs to earn their registered nursing credentials on a part-time basis over five quarters. This is one of the few programs of its kind in the state, allowing busy, working LPNs to continue their nursing education on a part-time basis in the evenings and on weekends.
Expanding access to STEM education
Pierce College is expanding access to STEM education in Puyallup, with a special focus on equity, diversity and inclusion, to address the growing demands of these industries. Our 54,000-square-foot STEM Building broke ground in September 2022 and will feature a radically welcoming design to remove historic barriers so that students can see the scientific process, imagine themselves as scientists, and transition from observer to innovator.
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 2021-22 academic year. Reflects headcount unless otherwise noted. Data is for Pierce College District.
*Students of color percent based on unduplicated headcount. Students may be counted in more than one race, so race/ethnicity percentages may not total 100%. Percentages calculated on reported value.
Chancellor & CEO
Julie A. White, PhD
Interim President
Matthew A. Campbell, EdD
Trustees
- Steve Smith, chair
- Therese Ngo Pasquier, vice chair
- Lisa Boyd
- Clemencia Castro-Woolery
- Brett Willis
Year Founded
1971
Service Area
Pierce County
Legislative Districts
2, 25, 27, 30, 31
Page Manager:
shagreen@sbctc.edu
Last Modified: 3/8/23, 4:30 PM