Centralia College vs. Pierce College District

Comparable Facts

Compare Centralia College in Centralia, WA with Pierce College District in Lakewood, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pierce College District is larger than Centralia College based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 2,244 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Centralia College is located in Centralia, WA (Distant Town setting); Pierce College District is in Lakewood, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Centralia College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pierce College District is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Centralia College 16:1; Pierce College District 13:1.

Centralia College vs. Pierce College District Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Centralia College or Pierce College District? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pierce College District than Centralia College ($11,340 vs. $14,216).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centralia College are 3.8% lower than at Pierce College District ($17,307 vs. $17,982).
• Pierce College District is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centralia College (about $152 more per year; $5,418.00 vs. $5,266.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.8% higher at Pierce College District than at Centralia College (about $325 more per year; $5,976.00 vs. $5,651.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centralia College than at Pierce College District (77% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pierce College District students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Centralia College students ($6,785 vs. $6,228).

Centralia College vs. Pierce College District Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Centralia College or Pierce College District? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pierce College District and Centralia College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Centralia College - Open admission; Pierce College District - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Centralia College Sep 1, 2026.

Centralia College vs. Pierce College District Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Centralia College and Pierce College District? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Pierce College District earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Centralia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $32,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.