Pierce College vs Clover Park Technical College (CPTC)

Pierce College District and Clover Park Technical College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer diverse educational opportunities to students in the Pacific Northwest. Pierce College District, located in Lakewood, Washington, boasts an acceptance rate of 100%, welcoming students from all backgrounds to pursue their academic aspirations. Clover Park Technical College, situated in Lakewood, Washington, maintains a slightly more selective admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 98%, catering to students seeking career-oriented programs. While Pierce College District excels in liberal arts and sciences, Clover Park Technical College specializes in technical and vocational training, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, assisting you in making an informed decision that aligns with your unique educational goals and aspirations.

	Clover Park Technical College	Pierce College District
Overview
Location	Lakewood, Washington	Lakewood, Washington
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	Open Admission
Application fees
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$19,480	In state: $19,576 Out of state: $20,038
Average net price	$8,701	$7,370
Tuition	$5,040	In state: $3,825 Out of state: $4,287
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	66.0% Average amount $5,743	36.0% Average amount $6,255
Students receiving federal student loan	12.0% Average amount $5,379	11.0% Average amount $5,614
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $10,503	0.0% Average amount $1,760

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,846 Men 38.5% Women 61.5%	7,363 Men 35.7% Women 64.3%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	0.0%	3.3%
International students	0.7%	1.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	N/A	60
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Washington	Washington California Hawaii Florida Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Computer and Information Science Health Professions Automotive Technology Engineering Technologies Culinary and Personal Services	Liberal Arts Business Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting Education
Students to faculty ratio	14:1	22:1
Institutional accreditation	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	31.1%	37.1%
Dropout rate	50.0%	37.4%
Transferred out	15.8%	18.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $43,941 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $54,617 Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $41,859 Year 2: $43,000 Year 3: $48,938 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $50,570 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $48,609 Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $40,501 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $45,873 Engineering Technology, General (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $36,938 Year 3: $42,876 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $40,525 Year 2: $34,847 Year 3: $37,287 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $36,701 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: $35,735 Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $37,216 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $34,649 Culinary Arts and Related Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $29,709	Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $62,687 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $55,767 Business/Commerce, General (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $47,345 Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $41,029 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: $32,496 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $22,356 Year 2: $25,405 Year 3: $29,533 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $26,935 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,569 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Pierce College District and Clover Park Technical College?

Pierce College District offers a broader range of academic programs, including transfer degrees (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science) designed for students planning to continue their education at a four-year university, as well as professional-technical programs. Clover Park Technical College primarily focuses on providing hands-on, technical training and career-focused programs leading to certificates and applied associate degrees, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce. Think of Pierce College as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or a career, while Clover Park is more directly focused on specific job skills.
Which college is better for students planning to transfer to a four-year university?

Pierce College District is generally the better choice for students planning to transfer to a four-year university. They offer direct transfer agreements with many Washington state universities and other institutions, and their Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are specifically designed to meet the lower-division requirements for bachelor's degrees.
Which college is better for students seeking immediate job skills and career training?

Clover Park Technical College is the better choice for students seeking immediate job skills and career training. Their programs are designed in close collaboration with industry partners to ensure that graduates have the skills and knowledge employers are looking for. They offer a wide range of programs in fields like aerospace, manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology.
Do both colleges offer financial aid?

Yes, both Pierce College District and Clover Park Technical College offer financial aid options, including grants, loans, and scholarships. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to determine their eligibility. Each college also has its own financial aid office that can provide assistance and guidance.
What types of programs are offered at Pierce College District?

Pierce College District offers a wide variety of programs, including Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and professional-technical certificates. Program areas include arts and humanities, business, healthcare, science and technology, social sciences, and workforce education. They also offer basic skills courses and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.
What types of programs are offered at Clover Park Technical College?

Clover Park Technical College focuses on professional-technical programs leading to certificates and Associate of Applied Technology (AAT) degrees. Program areas include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, automotive, business and information technology, construction and trades, healthcare sciences, and service careers. Their programs are designed to provide students with the specific skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen field.
Where are the campuses located for each college?

Pierce College District has multiple campuses: Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Pierce College Puyallup, and Pierce College at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). Clover Park Technical College has one main campus located in Lakewood, Washington.
Do both colleges offer online learning options?

Yes, both Pierce College District and Clover Park Technical College offer online learning options. The availability of online courses and programs may vary depending on the specific program and the college. Check each college's website for the most up-to-date information on online learning opportunities.
What is the typical class size at each college?

Generally, Pierce College District may have slightly larger class sizes compared to Clover Park Technical College, especially in introductory courses. Clover Park Technical College often has smaller class sizes due to the hands-on nature of their technical programs, allowing for more individualized attention from instructors. However, class sizes can vary depending on the specific course and program at both institutions.
How do the tuition costs compare between Pierce College District and Clover Park Technical College?

Tuition costs at both Pierce College District and Clover Park Technical College are generally comparable for Washington state residents. However, it's important to check the most current tuition rates on each college's website, as they can change. Also, consider program-specific fees, as technical programs at Clover Park might have additional costs associated with equipment and materials.

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