At $10,733/yr net price, Wenatchee Valley College graduates earn $41,127/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,127/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,733 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,932 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,127/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,127/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,332 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,791/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,496/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,650/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,566/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,815/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $66,969 | $13,363 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $47,846 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $32,925 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $32,569 |
The Risk Factor
39.6% of students at Wenatchee Valley College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Wenatchee Valley College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with a modest payoff. Median debt sits near a single year's net price, so you likely leave without a heavy loan burden. The tradeoff is earnings: ten years out, the median graduate earns just over $41,000, which is close to entry-level territory in many fields rather than a mid-career figure.
The clearest risk here is completion. Fewer than four in ten students finish, so the biggest financial danger isn't debt from graduating, it's paying for years of credits and leaving without the credential. If you don't finish, you carry the cost without the earnings bump the degree is supposed to buy.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 in family income, you pay around $8,800 a year. above $110,000, you pay closer to $17,800, roughly double. The jump is steepest between the $48-75k and $75-110k brackets, where your yearly cost climbs by nearly $4,000. If your family sits in the top tier, run the four-year total against that $41,000 median earnings figure before committing.
This school fits you if you're paying in-region prices, want to keep debt low, and have a concrete plan to finish, ideally transferring credits toward a higher-paying degree elsewhere. The low debt makes it a reasonable low-risk starting point. It's a weaker fit if you're expecting the degree alone to lift you well past $41,000, or if you're in the top income tier paying near-private prices for public-college earnings outcomes. The math works best as a cheap foundation, not a final destination.
No bachelor-level program salary data was available, so no specific major can be flagged as a stronger or weaker bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wenatchee Valley College worth the cost?
Wenatchee Valley College offers solid value with a low net price of $10,733 annually and modest debt loads averaging $10,332. However, the 39.6% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the highest paying programs at Wenatchee Valley College?
Nursing programs at Wenatchee Valley College lead to the strongest earnings, with registered nursing graduates earning around $67,000 annually. Allied health programs also perform well at $47,846, while automotive repair programs average $32,569.
How much debt do Wenatchee Valley College graduates have?
Wenatchee Valley College graduates carry relatively low debt with a median of $10,332. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall return on investment compared to more expensive institutions.
Do Wenatchee Valley College graduates earn good salaries?
Overall graduate earnings at Wenatchee Valley College average $41,127 ten years after enrollment, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost. Career outcomes vary significantly by program, with healthcare fields offering much stronger earning potential than the average.