Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 30.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 33.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $43,499
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $13,966
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 39.7%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $148/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $69,338 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $67,660 | $14,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $50,856 | $10,551 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $28,055 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $24,421 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $22,667 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,403 | $8,575 |
Outcomes Overview
Yakima Valley College graduates enter the workforce with manageable debt loads. The median debt of $13,966 represents just 31% of first-year earnings of $43,499. Monthly loan payments of $148 consume about 4.6% of gross income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The 94.4% employment rate reflects strong job placement in the agricultural heartland of Washington state. Many graduates find work in farming operations, food processing, and technical trades that serve the valley's agricultural economy. Others transfer to four-year universities after completing their associate degrees. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.32 compares favorably to national averages for community college graduates. This represents a strong return on investment for students seeking practical skills and career preparation.