At $6,355/yr net price, Yavapai College graduates earn $39,890/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,890/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,355 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,420 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,890/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,890/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,926/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,501/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,428/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,969/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,297/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 | $59,180 | $19,682 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $47,260 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,500 | |
| Air Transportation. | Associate | $31,839 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $28,960 | |
| Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $26,643 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
32.1% of students at Yavapai 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
Yavapai College keeps costs low, and that low cost carries the ROI. You borrow a median of $9,000 to get through, and you walk out earning around $40,000 a decade later. That earnings figure is modest, but the debt is light enough that you are unlikely to end up underwater on the deal.
The bigger risk here is finishing at all. Only about a third of students graduate, so the low net price only pays off if you are one of them. If you enroll, stall, and leave with credits but no credential, you have spent money without buying the earnings bump a completed degree brings. Your financial outcome at Yavapai depends more on whether you finish than on what you pay.
Net price barely moves across income brackets. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay slightly less. above that, the price ticks up but never breaks $9,000 a year. There is no steep sticker price to negotiate down and no dramatic aid cliff. Everyone pays roughly the same low number, which makes this a straightforward, low-stakes financial bet for families at any income level.
Yavapai is a good fit if you want an affordable start close to Prescott, plan to finish, and are comfortable with mid-range earnings. It works well as a low-debt path into a specific local job or as a cheap foundation before transferring to a four-year school for higher-paying work. Look elsewhere if you need a program with strong salary data to justify the time, since the earnings here top out around $40,000 and the data does not break out which fields drive that number. If a bigger paycheck is the goal, treat this as a stepping stone, not a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yavapai College worth the money?
Yavapai College offers good value with a low net price of $6,355 per year and median debt of only $9,000. However, the 32% graduation rate is concerning, and average earnings of $39,890 after 10 years are modest.
Which Yavapai College programs have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at Yavapai College provide the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $59,180 annually. Criminal justice and allied health programs also offer decent returns at $47,260 and $45,500 respectively, while business and air transportation programs pay significantly less.
How much debt do Yavapai College graduates typically have?
Yavapai College graduates have a median debt of $9,000, which is relatively low compared to many colleges. The low cost and minimal debt make it financially manageable, even if earning potential varies widely by program.
What are the risks of attending Yavapai College?
The biggest risk is the low 32% graduation rate, meaning most students don't complete their programs. Students in lower-paying programs like business may struggle to see strong financial returns despite the affordable tuition.