Nursing at Yakima Valley College

Yakima, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 2,539 students in Yakima, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $78,316 at Yakima Valley College come in 13% above the national median of $69,474 for Nursing programs.

The 79.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $78,316 far exceeding the $14,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #401 out of 947 programs, Yakima Valley College's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $78,316 to $81,440 over five years (4% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
79
Low End
84
Score
84
High End
Earnings $78,316/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$819K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
79.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
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
$14,000
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$81,440
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Yakima Valley College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Yakima Valley College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Yakima Valley College?
This program scores 84/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Yakima Valley College?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Yakima Valley College, a score of 84/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Nursing at Yakima Valley College?
At $14,000 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Yakima Valley College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
If Yakima Valley College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Yakima Valley College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →