At $10,402/yr net price, Yakima Valley College graduates earn $43,499/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,499/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,402 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $41,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,499/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,499/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,966 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,106/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,655/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,646/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,200/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,344/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
33.8% of students at Yakima 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
Yakima Valley College gives you a modest but real financial return. At about $10,400 a year in net price and a median debt of under $14,000, you graduate owing less than one year's median earnings. That keeps your downside contained even if your career starts slow.
The earnings side is where things get thin. Median pay ten years out sits around $43,500, which is enough to service that debt but not enough to build wealth fast. The one bachelor-level program on record here, Business Administration, actually pays slightly below the school-wide median. So the marquee four-year degree does not lift you above the typical graduate. That is a warning sign if you are picking this school for the business program specifically.
The bigger risk is completion. Only about a third of students graduate. If you enroll and do not finish, you carry whatever debt you took on with no credential to show for it, and the low debt figures above only describe people who made it through. Your first job is to actually finish.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30k, you pay roughly $9,100. if you earn over $110k, you pay closer to $17,300, nearly double. This is a strong-value option if you come from a lower-income household and stay focused on completing a program with a clear job path in the Yakima Valley.
Look elsewhere if you want high earning power out of a bachelor's degree, since the data here does not show programs that clear far past $43,000. This school fits you if you value low cost and low debt, plan to finish, and are targeting steady regional work in agriculture, healthcare support, trades, or business operations near home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yakima Valley College worth the cost?
Yakima Valley College offers solid value for specific programs, with a low net price of $10,402 per year and median debt of just $13,966. However, the 34% graduation rate is concerning, and overall earnings of $43,499 ten years after enrollment are below average for college graduates.
What are the best paying programs at Yakima Valley College?
Dental support services ($69,338) and nursing programs ($67,660) offer the strongest earning potential at Yakima Valley College. Allied health programs also pay well at $50,856, while business administration shows mixed results ranging from $28,055 to $42,682 depending on the specific track.
How much debt do Yakima Valley College students typically have?
Yakima Valley College students graduate with relatively low debt, with a median of $13,966. The low annual net price of $10,402 helps keep borrowing manageable compared to four-year institutions.
What is the graduation rate at Yakima Valley College?
Only 34% of students graduate from Yakima Valley College, which is below the national average for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students may not see the return on their investment.