Degree Dividend
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Yakima Valley College vs Clover Park Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Yakima WA · vs · Public, Lakewood WA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Yakima Valley College comes closer — median earnings $43,499 against a $23,686 total, vs $41,787 at Clover Park Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureYakima Valley CollegeClover Park Technical College
Net price / yr$11,843$9,864
Total net cost$23,686$39,456
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,499$41,787
Median debt$13,966$12,112
Payback
20-year net return-$120,906-$170,916

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Yakima Valley College or Clover Park Technical College?

Clover Park Technical College, at $9,864 a year after aid versus $11,843 — a gap of $1,979 a year, or $15,770 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Yakima Valley College or Clover Park Technical College graduates earn more?

Yakima Valley College graduates report a median $43,499 ten years after entry, $1,712 more than the $41,787 at Clover Park Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Yakima Valley College or Clover Park Technical College?

Clover Park Technical College: its completers carry a median $12,112 in federal loans versus $13,966 at Yakima Valley College, a difference of $1,854. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

43% of students finish at Clover Park Technical College, against 29% at Yakima Valley College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Yakima Valley College vs Clover Park Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Yakima Valley College or Clover Park Technical College a better value?
Yakima Valley College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Yakima Valley College or Clover Park Technical College?
Clover Park Technical College: $9,864/yr net price after aid versus $11,843/yr at Yakima Valley College — a difference of $1,979 a year, or about $15,770 over four years.
Do Yakima Valley College or Clover Park Technical College graduates earn more?
Yakima Valley College graduates earn a median $43,499 ten years after entry, versus $41,787 at Clover Park Technical College — a $1,712 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.