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Pierce College District

Lakewood, WA

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Quick Facts

1967
Founded
Public community college district
Type
4,487
Total Students
$5K
Tuition (In-State)
$5K
Tuition (Out-State)
$10K
Avg Net Price
31%
Graduation Rate
6-year
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Pierce College District

Pierce College District: Growing campuses, empowering communities since 1967.

Pierce College District stands as a testament to growth and dedication to accessible community education. What began as a bold experiment in a converted Albertsons grocery store in 1967, then known as Clover Park Community College, has blossomed into a thriving multi-campus institution. It's renowned for its public community college education, continually evolving to meet the changing needs of its students and the wider region.

The college's history is one of continuous expansion and unwavering commitment. After quickly establishing a permanent 140-acre campus near Fort Steilacoom and rebranding as Fort Steilacoom Community College, Pierce College truly came into its own with the opening of its second major campus in Puyallup in 1990. This strategic expansion allowed it to reach and serve a broader student population, solidifying its role as a key educational provider in Washington.

Academically, Pierce College has steadily grown its infrastructure to support a diverse range of programs. Significant additions to the Puyallup campus, including the Brouillet Library Science Center, a dedicated Health Education Center, and an Arts and Allied Health Building, underscore its dedication to providing specialized learning environments and state-of-the-art resources. Prospective students and their families can look forward to a supportive and resource-rich environment designed to foster academic success and personal growth, preparing them for future careers or further higher education within a dynamic and expanding district.

Key Highlights

  • Established in 1967 as Clover Park Community College, initially holding classes in a converted grocery store.
  • Developed a permanent 140-acre campus near Fort Steilacoom by 1970.
  • Expanded to a second major campus in Puyallup in 1986, leading to its renaming as Pierce College.
  • Recognized by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges as Washington's 34th community college in 1999.
  • The Puyallup campus has seen significant growth, adding multiple key buildings including a Library Science Center (1996), a College Center (2004), a Health Education Center (2008), and an Arts and Allied Health Building (2010).

Timeline

1967
Established as Clover Park Community College.
1970
Renamed Fort Steilacoom Community College and established a 140-acre campus.
1986
Expanded to a second location in Puyallup and was renamed Pierce College.
1990
The Puyallup campus opened with its first building, the Gaspard Education Center.
1996
Puyallup campus expanded with the opening of the Brouillet Library Science Center.
1999
Recognized by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges as Washington's 34th community college.
2004
Puyallup campus expanded with the College Center building.
2008
Puyallup campus expanded with the Health Education Center.
2010
Puyallup campus expanded with the Arts and Allied Health Building.
🏛️
59 Years
of Excellence

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