by our College Data Analytics TeamLook up current in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at Pierce College District, and how those costs compare to other schools over time.
For the most recent year on record, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at Pierce College District came in at $5,418 per year. For out-of-state undergraduates the figure was $5,976. That spread is what residency saves an in-state student.
Of that total, required fees came to $643 in-state and $643 out-of-state; the rest is tuition itself.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,775 | $5,333 |
| Fees | $643 | $643 |
| Total | $5,418 | $5,976 |
This tuition and fees total reflects one year of study and do not cover room and board.
Note that plenty of students are eligible for financial aid and scholarships that reduce the amount they actually pay. The totals here are the list price.
What does Pierce College District cost for part-time students? Visit the Cost Per Credit Hour page to find out.
For perspective, here is how Pierce College District prices compare to peer schools. Each label reflects how the school sits versus the average of that group.
| Nationwide | In WA | Similar Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Inexpensive | Inexpensive | Inexpensive |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | Inexpensive | Inexpensive | Average |
Relative to the national field, Pierce College District is comparatively affordable.
Keep in mind that sticker price is only part of the story — aid can change what you actually pay. See the Pierce College District Financial Aid page for details.
Here’s how tuition at Pierce College District has changed over recent reported years.
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Three Years Ago | $3,825 | $4,287 |
| Two Years Ago | $3,927 | $4,290 |
| One Year Ago | $4,074 | $4,599 |
| Most Recent Year | $4,775 | $5,333 |
This chart shows the way tuition at Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom has changed across the reported years.
Most recently, out-of-state tuition went up 16.0%. Carrying the same rate forward one year puts tuition + fees around $6,929 the year ahead.
Annual tuition increases are the norm at most institutions, so the cost in your final year will likely top today’s number.
Discover answers to frequently asked questions about college tuition and fees for more context.
Over the reported years, in-state tuition and fees grew at an average annual rate of 7.69%, so a year from now in-state students could pay around $5,834. For students from out of state, the yearly pace was 7.58%, so a year out the out-of-state figure lands around $6,428.
Holding that rate, here is how tuition and fees could track over the next five years:
| Academic Year | In-State Tuition & Fees | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Next Year | $5,834 | $6,428 |
| In 2 Years | $6,282 | $6,914 |
| In 3 Years | $6,764 | $7,437 |
| In 4 Years | $7,283 | $8,000 |
| In 5 Years | $7,842 | $8,606 |
As you plan how to pay for college, fold in expected yearly increases — at this pace, four years of out-of-state tuition and fees projects to about $28,779, versus roughly $26,163 for in-state students.
Tuition is just the starting figure — grant aid and scholarships often reduce the actual price families pay.
For specifics on financial aid at Pierce College District, see the Pierce College District Financial Aid page.
