At a Glance
Suburban (within commuting distance of a large city)
13,294 students
Admissions: Open (virtually all applicants are accepted)
$4,126 in-state tuition
$4,576 out-of-state tuition
Public;
two year
School Name and Address
Contact for more information
General Information
General information
Educational system
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Public or private
Public
Type of school
2-year college
Date founded
1967
Degrees offered
Certificate or diploma, Associate
School accreditation
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act eligible training provider
Some programs; see program descriptions
School setting
Setting
Suburban (within commuting distance of a large city)
Closest major metropolitan area
Seattle
Population of city the school is in
36,930
Public transportation to campus
Pierce Transit bus line
Student parking on campus
Yes
Campus size
140 acres
County
Pierce
School visits
Contact to set up school visit
District Admissions & Outreach Office; 253.840.8470
Student Body
Enrollment
Total number of undergraduate students
13,294
Total enrollment
13,294
International students
Number of countries represented
12
Age of students
Percentage of students 25 or older
56%
Annual costs for full-time undergraduate students
(Costs are for the 2019-2020 academic year. Full-time costs are based on 45 credits per year.)
In-state tuition
$4,126
Out-of-state tuition
$4,576
Fees
$559
Books and supplies
$825
Cost information website
https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/tuition-fees
Bachelor's degree tuition is $6,615 annually (45 credits).
Tuition rates vary by
Campus/location
Class load (number of credits taken)
Degree level (e.g., certificate, associate, bachelor's)
Tuition refund policy
Tuition payment plans available
Installment plan (you can pay tuition in several payments over the course of the term)
Tuition waivers available to
Contact for counseling or more information
Applying for financial aid
Submit these forms
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Application deadline (for fall term)
May 1
Financial aid programs at this school
Loans
Federal PLUS loans (for parents)
Federal Stafford loans (subsidized)
Federal Stafford loans (unsubsidized)
Institution loans (from the school)
Need-based scholarships and grants
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Privately-sponsored scholarships and grants
School-sponsored scholarships and grants
State-sponsored scholarships and grants
Student employment
Work study
https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/student-employment
Veteran's benefits
Veteran's benefits, such as the GI Bill, are honored
https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/veterans
Contact for more information
Entrance difficulty
For incoming students
Open (virtually all applicants are accepted)
Open admissions policy applies to
Except for international students, veterinary technology, dental hygiene and nursing programs
Groups or programs with a different entrance difficulty level
International students; veterinary technology, dental hygiene programs
Entrance difficulty level for these groups
Moderately difficult (about 85% of all applicants accepted)
Education required for admission
High school education
High school diploma or equivalent not required.
Application dates
Fall* application deadline
Continuous
Notification date for fall admission applicants
Continuous
Fall transfer application deadline
Continuous
Notification date for fall transfer applicants
Continuous
Application requirements
Exams
Required exams
College placement tests required; $10 fee
International students must have proof of college-level English proficiency (TOEFL score of 480).
Other admissions information
Early admissions (select high school students can enroll for college credit)
Transfer student admissions
Age limit on courses to be transferred
No limit
Credits accepted for transfer students
American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
Life long learning
Degrees offered
Certificate or diploma
Associate
School catalog
Faculty and instruction
Academic calendar
Quarters
Number of faculty on campus
600
Graduation requirements
Required number of credits for an associate degree
90 quarter hours
All students must meet:
Core curriculum or school-wide requirements
Internship requirement
Depends on major
Math or science requirement
Attendance options
Evenings
On-line/distance learning
Part time
Summer school
Off-campus study
Domestic exchange available
Study abroad available
Military officer training (ROTC)
Alternative credit opportunities
Advanced Placement
Cooperative education
Independent study
Internships
Computing
Computers on campus for student use
Computer lab available to students
Other special programs
Intercollegiate and intramural sports available
Intercollegiate
Intramural
Sport
Men
Women
Men
Women
Baseball
Yes
$
Basketball
Yes
$
Yes
$
Yes
Yes
Cross-country running
Yes
$
Soccer
Yes
$
Yes
$
Softball
Yes
$
Volleyball
Yes
$
$ indicates scholarships offered. For intercollegiate sports, the division is given when that information is available. “Yes” is used if a sport is offered, but the school has not specified the division. “Club” indicates intercollegiate competition is at the club level. For intramural sports, “Yes” indicates a sport is available.
Athletic association membership
Other sports information
Other sports information
Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC)
Student activities
Choral groups
Drama or theater groups
Newspaper
Orchestra
Student government
Clubs and associations
Number of student clubs and associations with open membership
20
Largest clubs and organizations on campus
Student Life, Phi Theta Kappa, Dental Hygiene Association, Veterinary Technology Association
Student clubs and associations website
https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/student-life-py
Student Services
Academic services for all students
Academic advising
English as a Second Language (ESL) program
Reading and study skills courses
Remedial education courses
Tutoring
Other services for all students
Services for students with disabilities
Services for women and families
Additional services available for these groups
Campus security
Career Services
Contact for more information
Career services offered
Career counseling
Career library
Job bank
Job fairs
Job interviews
On campus recruitment by employers
Placement assistance
Résumé preparation assistance
List programs by [ title | cluster ]
Accounting Technology and Bookkeeping
Accounting Office Assistant [Certificate]
Accounting Technology [Certificate]
Applied Accounting [Associate of Applied Science]
Bookkeeping Office Assistant [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science
General Office [Associate, Associate of Applied Science]
Adult Basic Education
Adult Basic Education [No Standard Degree]
American Sign Language
American Sign Language Interpreting, Deaf Studies, or Deaf Education [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Anthropology
Archaeology Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Cultural Anthropology Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Archeology
Archaeology Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Art and Fine Arts, General
Art & Art Education Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Astronomy
Astronomy/Earth Science Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
Atmospheric Science Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Biological Sciences, General
Biology & Biomedical Sciences (Transfer) [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts, Associate of Science - Transfer]
Business Management and Administration
Applied Business Management [Bachelor of Applied Science]
Supervision and Management [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Business, General
Applied Business [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Business [Certificate]
Chemistry
Chemistry Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts, Associate of Science - Transfer]
Child Care Assisting
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Family Child Care [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-General [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Infants & Toddlers [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-School Age Care [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Child Care Services Management
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Administration [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Child Development
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Home Visitor/Family [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Communication and Speech Studies
Communication Studies Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Computer Programming
Application Development [Certificate]
Computer Science
Computer Science Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Computer Systems Networking and Administration
Business Analysis [Certificate]
Computer Network Engineering [Associate of Applied Science]
Computer Systems Administration [Certificate]
Computer Systems Technology
Computer Systems Administration [Certificate]
Construction Management
Construction Management [Certificate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts]
Virtual Construction for Construction Management [Certificate]
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice [Certificate, Associate of Applied Science]
Data Entry and Processing
Bookkeeping Office Assistant [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Database Administration
Application Development [Certificate]
Database Management and Design [Associate of Applied Science]
Healthcare Database Management & Design [Certificate]
Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene [Bachelor of Applied Science]
Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging
Digital Design [Associate of Applied Science]
Directing, Theater Production, and Theater Arts
Technical Theatre & Acting [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Distance Learning
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Construction Safety Technician [Certificate]
Fire Services Leadership & Management [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Homeland Security Emergency Management [Certificate, Transfer, Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Applied Science]
Occupational Safety and Health Technician [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Project Management [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Dramatic Arts
Technical Theatre & Acting [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Early Childhood Education [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Initial Certificate [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Teaching [Bachelor of Applied Science]
Economics
Economics Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Elementary Education and Teaching
Elementary Education Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Emergency Management
Homeland Security Emergency Management [Certificate, Transfer, Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Applied Science]
Tribal Homeland Security Emergency Management [Certificate]
Emergency Medical Care
Emergency Medical Services [Certificate, Pre-license Training]
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) / English as a Second Language (ESL)
Integrated Business Technology (I-BEST) [Certificate]
English Language and Literature
Literature Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Entrepreneurship [Certificate]
Environmental Science
Environmental Science Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts, Associate of Science - Transfer]
Exercise Science and Kinesiotherapy
Kinesiology [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Fashion Merchandising
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Film Studies
Film Studies Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Fire Services Administration
Fire Services Leadership & Management [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Fitness Instructing
Kinesiology [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Personal Training [Certificate]
Forensic Science
Crime Analysis & Investigation [Certificate]
Forensic Technology [Certificate]
Geography
Geography Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Geological and Earth Sciences
Geology Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Science - Transfer]
Graphic Design
Digital Design [Associate of Applied Science]
Health Records Technology
Associate in Health Informatics and Integrated Technology [Associate]
History
History Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Homeland Security
Homeland Security Emergency Management [Certificate, Transfer, Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Applied Science]
Tribal Homeland Security Emergency Management [Certificate]
Human Resources Management
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Human Resource Management [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Human Services
Social Service Mental Health [Certificate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts]
Informatics
Information Studies [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Law Enforcement and Police Science
Explorer Cadet Pre-Law Enforcement [Certificate]
Library Science
Information Studies [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Marketing
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Social Media Marketing [Certificate]
Mathematics
Mathematics Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Medical Billing and Coding
Medical Billing and Coding [Certificate, Associate of Applied Science]
Medical Informatics
Health Informatics & Integrated Technology [Associate of Applied Science]
Healthcare Database Management & Design [Certificate]
Medical Office Support
Administrative Assistant Medical Office [Associate of Applied Science]
Medical Reception
Medical Office Assistant [Certificate]
Medical Secretarial Studies
Administrative Assistant Medical Office [Associate of Applied Science]
Middle School Education and Teaching
Associate in Math Education [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Biology & Biomedical Sciences (Transfer) [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts, Associate of Science - Transfer]
Music, General
Music Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Nursing Assisting
Certified Nursing Assistant [Certificate, Pre-license Training, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Occupational Safety and Health Technology
Construction Safety Technician [Certificate]
Occupational Safety and Health Technician [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Oceanography
Oceanography Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts, Associate of Science - Transfer]
Office Management
Office Management [Associate of Applied Science]
Office Support
General Office Assistant [Certificate]
Integrated Business Technology (I-BEST) [Certificate]
Philosophy
Philosophy/Ethics Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Physical Therapy Assisting
Physical Therapist Assistant [No Standard Degree]
Physics
Physics/Astronomy Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Political Science and Government
Political Science Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Pre-Engineering
Aeronautical, Astronautical, Civil, and Mechanical Pre-Engineering [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Computer & Electrical Pre-Engineering [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Computer & Systems Pre-Engineering [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Pre-Nursing
Associate in Pre-Nursing [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Project Management
Project Management [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Psychology, General
Psychology Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Real Estate
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Recreation, Fitness, and Leisure Studies
Kinesiology [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Registered Nursing
Nursing--ADN (Registered Nurse) [Associate]
Secondary Education and Teaching
Associate in Math Education [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Biology & Biomedical Sciences (Transfer) [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts, Associate of Science - Transfer]
Sociology
Sociology Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Spanish Language and Literature
Spanish Language Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Teacher Assisting
Paraeducation [Certificate, Transfer, Associate of Applied Science, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Veterinary Technology
Veterinary Technology [Pre-license Training, Associate of Applied Science]
Web Page and Multimedia Design
Application Development [Certificate]
Workforce Training and WIOA Eligible Training Programs
Administrative Assistant Medical Office [Associate of Applied Science]
Aeronautical, Astronautical, Civil, and Mechanical Pre-Engineering [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Applied Accounting [Associate of Applied Science]
Applied Business [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Applied Business Management [Bachelor of Applied Science]
Associate in Business [Associate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)]
Bookkeeping Office Assistant [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Business [Certificate]
Certified Nursing Assistant [Certificate, Pre-license Training, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Computer & Electrical Pre-Engineering [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Computer & Systems Pre-Engineering [Associate of Science - Transfer]
Computer Network Engineering [Associate of Applied Science]
Computer Systems Administration [Certificate]
Construction Management [Certificate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts]
Construction Safety Technician [Certificate]
Crime Analysis & Investigation [Certificate]
Criminal Justice [Certificate, Associate of Applied Science]
Cultural Anthropology Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Database Management and Design [Associate of Applied Science]
Dental Hygiene [Bachelor of Applied Science]
Digital Design [Associate of Applied Science]
Early Childhood Education [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Administration [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Family Child Care [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-General [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Home Visitor/Family [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Infants & Toddlers [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-Initial Certificate [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Early Childhood Education--State Short Certificate-School Age Care [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Elementary Education Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Emergency Medical Services [Certificate, Pre-license Training]
Entrepreneurship [Certificate]
Explorer Cadet Pre-Law Enforcement [Certificate]
Film Studies Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Fire Services Leadership & Management [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Forensic Technology [Certificate]
General Office [Associate, Associate of Applied Science]
General Office Assistant [Certificate]
Health Informatics & Integrated Technology [Associate of Applied Science]
Healthcare Database Management & Design [Certificate]
Homeland Security Emergency Management [Certificate, Transfer, Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Applied Science]
Human Resource Management [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Information Studies [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Integrated Business Technology (I-BEST) [Certificate]
Kinesiology [Transfer, Associate of Applied Science]
Literature Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Medical Billing and Coding [Certificate, Associate of Applied Science]
Medical Office Assistant [Certificate]
Nursing--ADN (Registered Nurse) [Associate]
Office Management [Associate of Applied Science]
Paraeducation [Certificate, Transfer, Associate of Applied Science, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Personal Training [Certificate]
Physical Therapist Assistant [No Standard Degree]
Project Management [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Social Media Marketing [Certificate]
Social Service Mental Health [Certificate, Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Arts]
Spanish Language Pre-Major [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Supervision and Management [Certificate, Short-term Training (1 year or less)]
Teaching [Bachelor of Applied Science]
Technical Theatre & Acting [Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA), Associate of Arts]
Veterinary Technology [Pre-license Training, Associate of Applied Science]
