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Peirce College

Philadelphia, PA·Private nonprofit·789 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; fewer than half of freshmen return for sophomore year. 52% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.

N/A
Accept
789
Students
$12,905
Net Price
5%
Grad Rate
$50,300
Earnings
10 yr
$21,875
Debt

About This School

Peirce College is a private nonprofit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with approximately 789 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $12,905 per year. The graduation rate is 5%, and the typical graduate earns $50,300 within 10 years of enrollment.

Peirce College was a private college in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It focused on adult education. It was announced in August 2024 that the school would be acquired by Lackawanna College with the merger being completed by mid-2026.

The numbers here are deeply concerning — a 5% graduation rate and 0% freshman retention rate suggest most students who enroll do not complete their degree, which makes the $12,905/year net price hard to justify regardless of how affordable it looks. Beyond the data, Peirce is currently in the process of being absorbed by Lackawanna College, with a merger expected by mid-2026, meaning the school as it exists today will essentially cease to operate. Prospective students should explore other options rather than enroll in an institution mid-transition with such troubling completion outcomes.

Founded
1865
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing36%
Health Professions22%
Computer Science13%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Bill TildenAnastasio Somoza GarcíaBenjamin GuggenheimSimon Guggenheim

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$15,060
Out-of-State Tuition
$15,060
Avg Net Price
$12,905
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants52%
Median debt at graduation$21,875

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
5%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
0%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$50,300
after enrollment
Median Debt
$21,875
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$21,875
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$40,500
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$50,300
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.3x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White19%
Black54%
Hispanic/Latino12%
Asian3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (789 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Peirce College

1608 Walnut St., Suite 1900

Philadelphia, PA 19103-5443

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Pennsylvania

Browse all Pennsylvania schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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