International Student Program

Yakima Valley College (YVC) is located in Yakima, Washington. Yakima county offers an average of 300 days of sunshine a year.

Summers are dry and hot while winters are cool with light snowfall. The climate makes perfect growing conditions for apples, hops and wine grapes.

Winter provides skiing and snowboarding within an hour drive and summer offers endless opportunities for lovers of fishing, golf, and baseball. Backpacking, rock climbing, hiking, bicycling, boating, swimming and windsurfing are all available in season.

Our faculty are committed to excellence. Instructors offer personal attention through small class sizes and office hours so students know exactly where to find them if they have questions.

YVC offers writing and math tutoring centers, computer labs, a library, bookstore, childcare services, counseling services, student clubs, the Larson Art Gallery, an advising center and a variety of student services designed with student success in mind.

YVC offers courses at an affordable rate to students. Colleges, such as YVC, allow students to obtain two years of college instruction at a fraction of the cost of a 4-year university.

In addition to low tuition prices, YVC also offers students a tuition payment plan, ensuring that no student will be denied access to higher education based on financial circumstances.

The Student Tuition Easy Pay Plan (STEPP) makes college more affordable because it allows you to fit tuition and fee payments into their budget.

YVC has an agreement with Central Washington University’s ESL Program that guarantees admission to the college upon completion of their English program.

Admission is also accepted based on completion of an intensive language program or college level English with grades of a C or better from any accredited US institution. In both instances a TOEFL or other test would not be required.

Yakima Valley College offers on-campus housing for students. The Student Residence Center, which is located next to the International Student Program Office, provides community cooking and eating facilities designed to help create a positive community spirit. This facility allows YVC to provide a safe, clean living environment, for students at a competitive price.

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Students who earn the Associate of Arts degree will be able to transfer to Washington colleges and universities that honor the Direct Transfer Agreement with junior standing, having met lower division general education requirements.

In addition to transferring, YVC has university partnerships with Central Washington University and Heritage University. This allows students to take university courses on the YVC Yakima campus.

Through the Direct Transfer Agreement YVC international students have shown success continuing their education at many top four-year universities, including:

• Central Washington University
• Eastern Washington University
• Gonzaga University
• Seattle Pacific University
• University of Washington
• Washington State University
• Western Washington University
• Whitworth College

YVC Transfer Opportunities

The culturally diverse Yakima Valley is a wonderful area for international students to study. The YVC International Student Program (ISP) has served students from many countries around the world.

Made up of highly-skilled staff, the YVC ISP contains individuals who have traveled to and studied other countries extensively. They look forward to helping students who are continuing their education in the United States.