Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods at Pierce College District

Pierce College District's teaching program punches well above its weight, with graduates earning $55,849—a remarkable 34% more than the national median and $11,000 above Washington's state median. While it ranks at the 60th percentile within Washington (trailing universities like Pacific Lutheran and Western Washington by a small margin), it's in the 95th percentile nationally. For a community college program, these outcomes are exceptional and comparable to four-year institutions.

The debt picture is equally attractive. At $23,365, graduates carry slightly more than the state median but less than the national average, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42—meaning graduates can reasonably expect to manage repayment on a starting teacher's salary. This compares favorably to many traditional four-year programs where debt often exceeds $30,000.

The critical caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary significantly from these medians. However, the combination of strong earnings, manageable debt, and Pierce's lower tuition costs (evident in the 20% Pell grant rate) suggests a cost-effective pathway into teaching. For families prioritizing financial return in education programs, this represents compelling value—especially compared to taking on substantially more debt at a four-year university for similar starting salaries.