skip to page content • • text size: A A A

Our Students

See what our students do when they're not in class.

These numbers are also available for 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2007.

Nearly 30,000 individuals find the education they need at Pierce College each year. Our students are diverse in many ways.

pie chart showing percentages of students at each site. FS: 35% - PY: 22% - Fort Lewis: 16%. all others account for less than 10% each.

Number of Students, Fall 2002:

  • 4,567 Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
  • 2,925 Pierce College Puyallup
  • 341 Distance Learning
  • 2,054 Fort Lewis
  • 748 McChord Air Force Base
  • 1,062 Other Contracted Sites
  • 1,319 Continuing Education/Student Supported

13,016 total headcount
(as of end of Continuous Entry, November 2002)

7,479.41 District-Wide FTEs (full-time equivalent)

26,295 Student served during the 2001-02 school year (Fall 2001-Summer 2002)

Who is the average Pierce College student?

  • Average age is 29.8 years
  • 41.1% are 18-24 years old
  • 18.4% are 40-59 years old
  • 54.4% are women (22.6% of female students are 30 or older)
  • 28.8% are from minority groups
  • 2.9% are disabled
  • 1.2% are international students
  • 57.5% are enrolled in college transfer programs
  • 29.3% are in vocational education/workforce training programs
  • 10.3% are learning basic skills or working toward high school diplomas
  • 4.8% are Running Start students
  • 10.1% enroll in continuing education offerings
  • 46.5% attend part-time based on nine credits or less*
  • 63.8% attend part-time based on 11 credits or less*

*In Spring 2002, full-time changed from 10 or more credits to 12 or more credits.

Degrees, Certificates, and Diplomas Awarded through Pierce College

Associate Degrees Awarded - 2001-2002

  • 914 - Associate in Arts & Sciences: With this transferable degree, graduates can attend four-year colleges and universities with full junior standing. The wide range of courses also provides a broad general education for those who do not plan to earn four-year degrees.
  • 379 - Associate in Technology: This degree prepares graduates for immediate employment in business or industry.

Certificates/Diplomas Awarded - 2000-2001

  • 152 - Vocational Certificates
  • 90 - High School Diplomas
  • 366 - GED Certificates

How do our students fare after graduation?

(As of December 2001)

  • Transfer Students: Pierce College graduates consistently do as well as or better than transfer students as a whole and undergraduates in general.
  • Vocational Program Graduates: Ninety-five percent are either employed or pursuing further education.