Founded in , Pierce College-Puyallup. is a college. Located in Washington, which is a city setting in Washington, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 4,094 full time undergraduate students, and 0 full time graduate students.
The Pierce College-Puyallup Academic calendar runs on a Quarter basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 15:1. There are 47 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Pierce College-Puyallup include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.
Quick Facts
Acceptance Rate
100%
Application Deadline
Application Fee
25
SAT Range
ACT Range
Admissions at are considered , with ,14% of all applicants being admitted.
In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.
0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.
STUDENT LIFE Reviews
We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Pierce College-Puyallup.
0%
“We”re apathetic”
49%
“We know about current events and vote”
49%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
3%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
37%
“Sometimes, but not often”
37%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
23%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
77%
“I feel extremely safe”
41%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
24%
“We bought the gear”
35%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
49%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
29%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
37%
“They”re always available”
74%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
31%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
46%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
80%
“There might be people who do”
11%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
49%
“We know about current events and vote”
49%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
3%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
37%
“Sometimes, but not often”
37%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
23%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
77%
“I feel extremely safe”
41%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
24%
“We bought the gear”
35%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
49%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
29%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
37%
“They”re always available”
74%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
31%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
46%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
23%
“We only party on weekends”
0%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
80%
“There might be people who do”
11%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
0%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
0%
“We”re apathetic”
49%
“We know about current events and vote”
49%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
3%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
6%
“We save it for the classroom”
37%
“Sometimes, but not often”
37%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
20%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
23%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
77%
“I feel extremely safe”
41%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
24%
“We bought the gear”
35%
“We live for the big game”
3%
“It”s not really our thing”
20%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
49%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
29%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
3%
“Available in class”
60%
“They keep regular office hours”
37%
“They”re always available”
74%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
17%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
6%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
3%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
30 Students rated on-campus housing 1.8 stars. 7 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate off-campus housing?
23 Students rated off-campus housing 3.6 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus food?
42 Students rated campus food 3.8 stars. 29 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate campus facilities?
42 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate class size?
42 Students rated class size 4.2 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate school activities?
42 Students rated school activities 3.7 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate local services?
42 Students rated local services 3.9 stars. 33 % gave the school a 5.0.
How would you rate academics?
42 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.
Pierce College-Puyallup REVIEWS
What's your overall opinion of Pierce College-Puyallup?
42 Students rated Pierce College-Puyallup
Anastasia
College04/18/2025
The awesome professors and friendly peers make me want to attend Pierce College-Puyallup. All of the professors I've had have been very accepting, friendly, knowledgeable, generous, and caring. Fellow students are always friendly and eager to make new friends. There are also many events that help bring students together and get to know each other.
Brooklynn
02/19/2025
It really depends on the professor. I've really loved the biology department and the people in it are awesome. General classes like humanities aren't too stressful although I've heard some critiques of the math teachers either being too tough or not being accessible through email. I personally have not had this problem but the worst I've dealt with were some really pesky history assignments.
Elijah
11/28/2024
Pierce College is a wonderful school with many programs for students to choose from. Professors are always available and there are both in-person and onlines options for most classes to suit each student's individual needs. Additionally, all staff and students are supportive and help in any way that they can. Overall, the college is a very positive feedback loop, providing every student with equal opportunities to succeed.
Jessica
04/25/2024
Overall, I really like Pierce College. Some professors are really great to the extent that it's surprising they're only teaching at a community college with how dedicated and kind they are. Class sizes are small, and everyone I have met are really nice. There are lots of resources for students, and I really like the college community they have built. There is a math center, writing center, and general tutoring center. I do wish that there were more food options and that the existing ones were cheaper. Right now, there is just a grill and a coffee shop, and it is nice that they have specials throughout the month, but I haven't found any that caught my eye yet. The school itself is really pretty during Spring and just a little off from the main road, but it is just a short drive away from a mall and other shops. I am not sure about the housing associated with the college, but it makes sense that they probably wouldn't have any since it's a community college. If I were to recommend a community college to anyone, Pierce College would definitely be my number one choice.
Brenda
02/05/2021
The environment is open and welcoming. No matter who you are there will be people like you who you can count on to help you navigate. Staff is there to help with whatever inquiry you may have and always have multiple options to share with you. The buildings are kept clean and neat, there are snack and drink machines all around, and you can find peace in quiet in any building.
Nicole
10/24/2019
The campus is beautiful and open. The classes are usually pretty small and engaging. Most of the students there are great and all of the professors there are helpful and respectful. The best french fries from the student center building are made by the older guy who works in the cafe.
Kim
08/07/2019
I think it was a great stepping stone to a University. The professors there are extremely caring and friendly. They understand the difficulties of being a college student. I love the facilities and free services they have. For example, I really took an advantage of my $10 credit each quarter for printing. One page was only 5 cents to print!
Kenzie
07/31/2019
I feel great at Pierce, we have a great variety of ages, classes and I don't get uncomfortable from it. The professors are available even when the class is over. I feel the staff go out of their way to invite you to events. They always have posters up and posted everywhere. They have calendars so we can know the important dates to see if we can go. I am so glad that I can be at Pierce College and I can still be close to my family. Going to Pierce is great, plus I get great financial aid. I only wish I could have done running start in high school to get my degree sooner rather than later.
Suleiman
05/29/2019
I have an interest in the world beyond my own because I believe exposure is the greatest
education. I am excited to expand my horizon and peer into the distance like Galileo, into a
new world. From sand to skyscrapers, the United Arab Emirates has risen to one of the
Middle East’s biggest economies bringing with it UW Seattle. Having the chance to
participate in a new development is exciting and attending the Puyallup campus is no
exception. Washington’s diversity is incredible. Through conversations, students and
professors learn from each other to solve problems bearing semblance to the real world.
Great ideas eminent from great conversations
Mylissa
05/24/2019
I have only been at Pierce College for two quarters now and I've only had two professors. I have taken Hybrid classes both quarters. I really appreciate that the college offers different class types that allow for students with busy schedules. I wish that they would offer block classes in the morning because that would fit into my schedule better. Most of the morning classes require daily attendance and for me, that isn't feasible. The campus is beautiful and the people are welcoming.
Madilynn
05/08/2019
As a Running Start student attending Pierce College - Puyallup Campus I feel overall important to Pierce College and accepted by the faculty and student life. There is active on-campus help for students who struggle through the Tutoring Center, Writing Center, and Study Rooms. Almost all professors and faculty don't look down on Running Start students for their age and treat us as adult college students that are responsible for our own actions. There is no rating for on-campus of off-campus housing because there is no housing at the Puyallup Campus, but there is at the Fort Steilacoom Campus. The campus itself is beautiful and surrounded by trees, and it feels as if you've stepped into another world from the busy South Hill streets. There are always going to be professors that aren't as agreeable as others in any college that exists, it is the same with Pierce College. There are professors that dislike any other opinion and dislike Running Start students particularly, but the nice professors and the help for students that's available far outweighs those that give students a hard time. This campus feels like they care about each and every student, and it shows with the kind faces of the faculty, the advisers that stay in contact with you to almost the point of annoyance, and the free resources available to students. This has truly been the best college experience I feel I could've gotten as a college student, even without my involvement in too many extra-curricular activities I have met extremely nice people and feel right at home in the Pierce College family.
Gabi
04/18/2019
This year marks my third year at Pierce Community College. I am currently still obtaining my Associate’s in Biology, which I will be completing this Summer. Over the three years I have been attending Pierce, my time here was well spent; for the atmosphere at Pierce is very welcoming and diverse, as well as academically challenging to help students strive. When I first came to Pierce, my initial thought was how nice it was to finally be at a college, considering I was a high school student in the Running Start Program. This school made me feel safe and encouraged rather than push me to my breaking point. Because I was still in high school at the time, I was very anxious to be so young with all these older people, but Pierce made me feel okay to want to start my education earlier. I went into Pierce wanting to just get a general Biology degree so I can find a purpose for it because of my love for science, but now at this present stage of my life, I have made the decision to go more in depth in Biology and study environmental science.
No matter a four-year university or a two-year community college, the “college experience” to me was this school. The freedom, the acceptance, the school that gets people to the first step of their career. Sure, I may transfer to another college, but Pierce is where I figured out where I want to go next in life. Everyone knows that plans change, whether a person is still figuring it out or they still have no clue on what they want to do in their future, Pierce helps people recognize their own passions or their stepping stone into the world.
Tamana
04/16/2019
It's a very diverse school that is open to all people. I went here as a running start student and this is one of the top schools in the nation currently. The other students around the campus are helpful and supportive as well and are always around to answer questions.
Chloe
04/16/2019
I love Pierce College! The community is very friendly and there are always new people to meet every day! The staff take their jobs very seriously and care a lot about their students. Also, there are a lot of activities that go on with the college which is awesome! The only "bad" thing about the college is that the parking lots are very crowded and it can be a challenge to get a spot if you aren't lucky.
Allison
03/12/2019
It is an amazing school, but definitely has its flaws and there are definitely things to improve. The food is tasty but pricey for the portion size. It is almost $7 for a burger that is fairly small, a muffin is over $3, and a salad is almost $8 for a small prepackaged salad. There is not near enough parking; it is to the point people have to resort to parking on the grass. The professors for the most part are amazing, but there are some that shouldn't be teaching. I have met some of my favorite instructors I have ever had at Pierce, but I have taken classes where I have to teach myself almost all of the curriculum and was unable to get any help because they didn't know how to help me. But on a brighter note, the campus is beautiful, staff is very helpful for the most part, and I feel very safe.
The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Pierce College-Puyallup is 100%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.
What should every freshman at your school know before they start?
If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there are a number of things I?d let myself know. First, I?d tell myself to save my money, I did a lot of frivolous spending throughout high school, when I could have been saving for college. Now that I?m looking into the cost for the prestigious colleges that have my intended major it seems impossible to come up with the money for tuition. As I have been employed since the beginning of my sophomore year, I enjoyed making my own money and having it to spend on whatever I wanted. If I had saved my money I would have had a better chance of attending a college I really wanted to. So, if the opportunity arose, I would tell myself to save for a brighter future.
The best thing about Pierce College is that they offer the Running Start Program. This program allows high school juniors and seniors to attend community college classes to earn duo credits that count towards graduation as well as their general education classes for a 2-year degree. While only having to cover a small fee for the classes and materials needed (books, pencils, paper, etc.) students are able to save a great amount of money while still getting the education they need.
What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?
The facilities for the math/science/engineering courses. All of the computer programs and equipment are dated, but all the english majors have a nice new building to be in. As an engineering student this is a little frustrating.
I am a Running Start student, and this community college provided what I beleive is a good transition between High School and College. It wasn't as academically challenging as I had expected, which had its perks, but I would've appreciated being pushed more. The enviroment wasn't as welcoming as I would've liked, and I don't think I would've found many friends at the college if I hadn't known people attending there beforehand. I think Pierce College is a good place for Running Start students, but for all others, other colleges would be better.
Pierce College is best known for being the "go to" community college in the city of Puyallup. Whenever an adult talks about going to class, it is assumed they go to Pierce College.
What kind of person should not attend this school?
The great thing about Pierce College is that is is open for anyone. If you have a good work ethic and are motivated, you will succeed greatly. It's a great stepping stone for students who aren't ready to go straight into a 4-year., and helps to save money as well. Overall, anyone could attend this college.
What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?
I often brag to my friends about continuing my education at Pierce College. I am pretty proud of myself, I am a 22 year-old Mother, who has had a break in schooling, pursuing my educational goal of becoming a Registered Nurse, and I am determined to finish. I often tell my friends about the neat facts I learn in Anatomy and Physiology, I find those kinds of classes fascinating. I am looking forward to taking Microbiology in the near future. Then I can brag to my friends about that; whether they want to hear about it or not!
All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA.
Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.
55% of students attending Pierce College-Puyallup receive some sort of financial aid.
31% were awarded federal grants.17%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.
