Clark College vs. Pierce College District

Comparable Facts

Compare Clark College in Vancouver, 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 Clark College based on total student enrollment (8,137 students vs. 7,463 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Clark College is located in Vancouver, WA (Midsize City setting); Pierce College District is in Lakewood, WA (Large Suburban setting).
• Clark College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pierce College District is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Clark College 12:1; Pierce College District 13:1.

Clark College vs. Pierce College District Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Clark 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 Clark College ($11,340 vs. $13,528).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clark College are 3.7% lower than at Pierce College District ($17,310 vs. $17,982).
• Pierce College District is 3.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Clark College (about $185 more per year; $5,418.00 vs. $5,233.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 87.1% higher at Clark College than at Pierce College District (about $5,207 more per year; $11,183.00 vs. $5,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clark College than at Pierce College District (68% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pierce College District students is 2.3% larger than aid received by Clark College students ($6,785 vs. $6,632).

Clark College vs. Pierce College District Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Clark 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 Clark College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Clark College - Open admission; Pierce College District - Open admission.

Clark College vs. Pierce College District Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Clark 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 Clark College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Pierce College District graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,700 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pierce College District graduates have a $2,090 lower median loan debt than Clark College graduates ($10,410 vs. $12,500).
• Among borrowers, Pierce College District graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clark College graduates ($107 vs. $129).
• More Pierce College District graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clark College students, three years after graduation. (39% vs. 32%)

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.