Yakima Valley College | Field Guide 2026

• AA-DTA
• Business
• Education
• Nursing
• Allied Health

• Headcount (all sources): 7,053
• FTES (all sources): 3,819
• Headcount (state-funded): 5,868
• FTES (state-funded): 2,920

• Bachelor's: 229
• I-BEST: 20
• International: 3
• Running Start: 1,043
• Worker Retraining: 210

• Academic/transfer: 51%
• Basic skills: 23%
• Workforce education: 18%
• Other: 7%

Students of color: 73%

• American Indian/Alaska Native: 5%
• Asian: 3%
• Black/African American: 3%
• Hispanic/Latino: 67%
• Pacific Islander: 1%
• White: 54%

• Full-time: 56%
• Part-time: 44%

• Students receiving need-based financial aid: 51%
• Students with dependents: 39%

• Female: 4,486
• Male: 2,368
• X: 16
• Not reported: 183

23

Yakima Valley College and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences recently signed articulation agreements that streamline pathways for students to enter healthcare careers in high demand in central Washington. The agreements will help students save time and money transitioning from YVC to PNWU’s osteopathic medicine, occupational therapy, dental medicine, physical therapy, and Master of Arts in Medical Sciences programs. In summer 2025, five YVC alumni were members of the inaugural cohort of PNWU’s Doctor of Dental Medicine program, preparing to practice in rural, underserved communities such as the Yakima Valley.  

YVC and Central Washington University recently launched an initiative to establish a seamless transfer process between the two institutions. Data shows students who complete their associate degree at YVC and then transfer to CWU are more likely to successfully complete their bachelor’s degree. This initiative aims to build on that success by removing barriers in the transfer process and increasing awareness of opportunities for YVC students to continue their studies at CWU. This partnership will play a critical role in meeting the growing demand in central Washington for workers with a bachelor’s degree.

With the ultimate goal of preparing more students to enter careers in high demand both today and in the decades to come, YVC is restructuring its workforce education division. This will: 1) create greater capacity for the college’s workforce education leaders to pursue meaningful engagement in economic development initiatives within our service district and 2) streamline the reporting structure for our workforce education programs, increasing efficiency and long-term financial sustainability. YVC looks forward to engaging more deeply with community, businesses and other stakeholders in conversations about our region’s future as a place that offers more economic opportunity and where communities are diverse, vibrant and thriving.