Andrew Sund, Ph.D. President | Heritage University
Andrew Sund, Ph.D. President | Heritage University
Data shows that students paid $15,013 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $724 more than the previous school year.
Among the four institutions in the county, the Perry Technical Institute stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $47,664. Heritage University followed with an average of $19,500 per year. Yakima Valley College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $5,013.
At the time, a total of $8.6 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Yakima County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $3.3 million.
Currently there are four higher education institutions in Yakima County, including Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy, Perry Technical Institute, and Yakima Valley College.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perry Technical Institute | 424 | $3,339,019 | $7,875 | 445 | $2,529,784 | $5,685 |
| Elite Cosmetology, Barber & Spa Academy | 62 | $317,114 | $5,115 | 60 | $473,326 | $7,889 |
| Yakima Valley College | 404 | $2,715,267 | $6,721 | 27 | $144,052 | $5,335 |
| Heritage University | 126 | $2,203,240 | $17,486 | 27 | $144,712 | $5,360 |
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