Liberal Arts & Humanities at Yakima Valley College

Yakima, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

with a smaller student body of 2,539 in Yakima, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,743 track close to the $27,616 national median for Liberal Arts & Humanities programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 45.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Liberal Arts & Humanities programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 0% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

At $8,575 in median debt against $26,743 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #525 of 830 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs, Yakima Valley College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $44,658 show a 67% jump from the $26,743 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
43
Score
43
High End
Earnings $26,743/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (100% shielded)
Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$469K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
45.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$10,326
Out-of-state: $11,394
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,575
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,658
67% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof

Liberal Arts & Humanities Career Guide

What can you do with a Liberal Arts & Humanities credential from Yakima Valley College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Liberal Arts & Humanities career guide →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities Overview

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Liberal Arts & Humanities at Yakima Valley College?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Liberal Arts & Humanities. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Is Liberal Arts & Humanities from Yakima Valley College a future-proof career choice?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 0% of Liberal Arts & Humanities tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 1 of 1 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →