Ready to crack open the books, learn a trade, and prepare for a satisfying career? Fortunately, this area is rich with schools of higher learning.

Thurston County

South Puget Sound Community College

A two-year, public college located in Olympia offers academic transfer degrees, professional technical degrees and certificates, job skills and basic skills training, and personal enrichment courses.
Olympia campus, 2011 Mottman Rd., S.W., Olympia 98512, (360) 754-7711
Lacey campus, 1401 Marvin Rd. N.E., Suite 201, Lacey, 98516, (360) 596-5750, www.spscc.ctc.edu

Saint Martin’s University

A private college founded in 1895, Saint Martin’s is a Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts university. Small class sizes prepare students for a degree that leads to a great career.
5300 Pacific Ave. S.E., Lacey, 98503, (360) 459-4124, www.stmartin.edu

The Evergreen State College

Ranked as one of the Best Buy Schools of 2010 in the Fiske Guide to Colleges, Evergreen is ranked among schools that offer “remarkable educational opportunities at a relatively modest cost.” A public, four-year college, Evergreen focuses on collaborative, not competitive learning.
Olympia campus, 2700 Evergreen Parkway N.W., Olympia 98306, (360) 867-6000
Tacoma campus, 1210 6th Ave., Tacoma 98406, (253) 680-3000, www.evergreen.edu

Pierce County

Pacific Lutheran University

Founded in 1890, PLU is a comprehensive, private, four-year university with an enrollment of about 3,600 students. PLU is dedicated to giving students a solid foundation in liberal arts with professional preparation.
12180 Park Ave. S., Tacoma 98447, (253) 535-7151, www.plu.edu

University of Puget Sound

A nationally ranked private undergraduate liberal arts college, UPS has offered students the means to reach their highest potential since 1888. The 97-acre campus situated in Tacoma’s North End is home to nearly 2,600 undergraduate students.
1500 N. Warner, Tacoma 98406, (253) 879-3100, www.pugetsound.edu

University of Washington-Tacoma

Offering quality programs that lead to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, UW-Tacoma has been in operation in Pierce County since 1990.
1900 Commerce St., Tacoma 98402, (253) 692-4000, www.tacoma.washington.edu

Bates Technical College

With three campuses, nearly 15,000 students enroll in programs each fall, learning lifetime skills leading to profitable careers.
Downtown Campus, 1101 S. Yakima Ave., Tacoma 98405
Mohler Campus, 2320 S. 19th St., Tacoma 98405
South Campus, 2201 S. 78th St., Tacoma 98409, Phone: (253) 680-7900, www.bates.ctc.edu

Clover Park Technical College

Students at CPTC receive hands-on experience and training taught by experts in a wide variety of practical career fields.
Main Campus, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., Lakewood 98499
South Hill Campus, 17214 110th Ave. E., South Hill 98374
Fort Lewis Campus, 14800 Murray Rd. S.W., Lakewood 98439
Downtown Tacoma Campus, 1932 Pacific Ave., Tacoma 98402, Phone:(253) 589-5800, www.cptc.edu

Tacoma Community College

Students can partake in 40 areas of study and 60 professional and technical degrees in a culturally rich environment.
Tacoma Campus, 6501 S. 19th St., Tacoma 98466, (253) 566-5001
Gig Harbor Campus, 3993 Hunt St., Gig Harbor 98335, (253) 460-2424, www.tacomacc.edu

Pierce College

One of the largest educational providers in the state, Pierce College is nationally ranked in degrees conferred. Students may transfer two-year course work to four-year colleges or earn vocational degrees.
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, 9401 Farwest Dr. S.W., Lakewood 98498, (253) 964-6500
Pierce College Puyallup, 1601 39th Ave. S.E., Puyallup 98374, (253) 840-8400, www.pierce.ctc.edu

Pierce County is also home to branches of Central Washington University, Chapman University and City University.

Chapman University

Chapman University has branches located at McChord, Fort Lewis and in Tacoma. The accredited university, founded in 1958, offers in-demand degrees and certificate programs.
Chapman at McChord, 851 Lincoln Blvd. #323, McChord AFB, (253) 584-5448
Chapman at Fort Lewis
6242 Colorado Ave., Fort Lewis, (253) 964-2509
Chapman University in Tacoma, 1819 East 72nd St., Tacoma 98404, (253) 584-5448, www.chapman.edu

Central Washington University-Pierce

Central Washington University-Pierce is located in the Olympic Building on the Pierce College Campus in Lakewood.
9401 Farwest Dr., Lakewood 98498, (253) 964-6636, www.cwu.edu/piercecounty/

City University-Tacoma

City University-Tacoma, located in Fife, gives students a practical education for the real world.
3700 Pacific Highway, Fife 98424, (253) 896-3210, www.cityu.edu/