Peninsula College provides one of the most affordable educational experiences available in American higher education, with net prices that rank in the top tier nationally for accessibility.
The combination of very low costs and zero loan defaults makes it a financially safe option for students exploring their educational options.
Peninsula College is a small public institution in Port Angeles, Washington, serving students primarily from the local region with a focus on accessibility and affordability. While the college ranks in the lower tier nationally for earnings outcomes, it provides one of the most affordable educational experiences available, with net prices that place it in the top 5% nationally for affordability across all income levels.
The institution serves a substantial population of first-generation students, with about 44% coming from families where parents did not attend college, and roughly 31% receiving Pell Grants. Peninsula College's mission centers on providing educational access rather than maximizing long-term earnings, reflected in its classification as an "Under-Resourced Institution" in terms of mobility outcomes.
As a community college in Washington state, Peninsula College offers students a low-risk way to begin their higher education journey. The combination of very low net prices and modest debt levels makes it particularly valuable for students who need to minimize educational costs while exploring academic and career interests. For many students, this represents a strategic first step rather than a final destination in their educational pathway.
Peninsula College's program offerings focus on foundational education, workforce preparation, and transfer pathways rather than specialized high-earning fields. As a community college, the institution emphasizes broad access to basic educational services, developmental coursework, and preparation for either immediate workforce entry or transfer to four-year institutions.
The college's approach prioritizes serving local workforce needs in the Port Angeles region, which tends toward service industries, healthcare support, and traditional trades rather than high-tech or professional fields that command premium salaries. Students interested in maximizing long-term earnings potential typically use Peninsula College as a stepping stone, completing general education requirements affordably before transferring to universities with stronger career-focused programs.
For students whose goals align with local employment opportunities or who plan to continue their education elsewhere, Peninsula College provides valuable foundational training at minimal cost. The institution's strength lies in accessibility and affordability rather than in delivering specialized programs that lead directly to high-income careers.
Peninsula College graduates face more modest earnings prospects compared to four-year institutions, with median earnings of $37,078 ten years after enrollment. This places the college in the bottom 20% nationally for long-term earnings outcomes, reflecting both the nature of community college programs and the local job market in the Port Angeles region.
The earnings picture shows that graduates typically enter fields with more limited income growth potential. With only 34 students earning more than $75,000 annually, the college's alumni tend to find work in local service industries, healthcare support roles, and trades that offer steady but moderate compensation. The college's value-added earnings performance suggests that graduates earn somewhat less than might be expected given their backgrounds and the regional economy.
While Peninsula College may not deliver the high earnings seen at research universities or technical institutes, it serves students whose primary goals involve gaining foundational skills, exploring career options, or preparing for transfer to four-year institutions. For students planning to continue their education elsewhere, Peninsula College provides an affordable foundation that minimizes debt accumulation during the exploratory phase of their academic journey.
Peninsula College stands out as exceptionally affordable across all income levels, ranking in the top 5% nationally for net price accessibility. Low-income students pay just $3,080 annually, middle-income families face costs of $6,829, and even higher-income students pay only $12,892 per year. These figures represent some of the lowest educational costs available at any public institution in the United States.
The college's affordability extends to manageable debt levels for students who do borrow. Typical federal student loan debt amounts to $15,786, while Parent PLUS borrowing averages $11,773 for families who choose this option. With a 0% federal loan default rate, Peninsula College demonstrates that its graduates, despite modest earnings, can successfully manage their educational debt obligations.
The combination of very low sticker prices and substantial financial aid makes Peninsula College accessible to students from virtually any economic background. This affordability model allows students to pursue education without taking on significant financial risk, making it particularly valuable for those uncertain about their long-term academic or career plans, or those who view community college as a stepping stone to further education.
Peninsula College Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
