Accreditation

Pierce College Accreditation

Pierce College is a Member institution with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Pierce College's accreditation status is reaffirmed. NWCCU's most recent action on Pierce College's accreditation status on March 1, 2024 was to reaffirm accreditation. 

NWCCU is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Inquiries regarding an institution’s accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to the administrative staff of the institution. Individuals may also contact:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 558-4224

Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one that has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation.

Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.

For further information on Pierce College accreditation contact:

Allison Sieving
Dean of Institutional Research
253-964-6490

Why Accreditation Is Important

Postsecondary accreditation is a process of recognizing educational institutions for performance, integrity and quality that entitles them to the confidence of the educational community and the public. Accreditation qualifies institutions and enrolled students for access to federal funds to support teaching, research and student financial aid and assures students that credits earned will transfer to other accredited institutions.

The process of accreditation helps the college dedicate time to reflect on its programs and processes, what it does well, where it needs to improve, and how well it serves its mission and goals and therefore its students. This self-analysis helps the institution become a more effective organization.

Pierce College Accreditation Communications

• Pierce College District Public Notice of Accreditation Comprehensive Visit by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (July 9, 2023)
• Pierce College Accreditation Update (March 15, 2023)
• Pierce College Accreditation - A Request For Your Feedback (June 6, 2022)
• Pierce College Employee Accreditation Update (November 19, 2021)

Pierce College NWCCU Activities

2023 Year 7 Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE)

Institutional Accreditation Documentation

2017 - 2023 Accreditation Cycle

Documentation from Previous Cycles

Individual Program Accreditation