Verde Valley News – The Yavapai College District Governing Board (DGB) approved the College’s proposed budget for 2024-2025 today at its annual budget adoption meeting.
The approved budget includes funding for the college’s strategic priorities, initiatives, and improved services for students and the community.
For just the second time since 2019, the DGB approved an increase in primary property tax levy for Yavapai County residents. The approved increase is $1,872,400, or a 3.4% increase in the primary property tax levy. With the 3.4% increase, property owners in Yavapai County will pay an estimated $5 per year in property taxes per $100,000 of home value.
Since 2019, inflation has risen by 25%, and just like every individual and organization, it has significantly impacted college operations. During that same time frame, YC has raised its tuition rate by 18% and its taxes by 8.4%, one-third of the inflation increase.
The state funds less than 3% of the College’s budget.
Yavapai College remains one of the greatest values in the state for higher education. Keeping tuition low gives all residents of Yavapai County access to affordable, life-changing education. YC’s base tuition rate is $108 per credit hour, and YC has no fees. Full-time students receive a discount and only pay $1,296 for a 15-credit semester. Students can save an estimated $18,000 by attending Yavapai College for their first and second years rather than attending a four-year AZ university. YC also now offers bachelor’s degrees in business and nursing at a fraction of the price of universities, with plans to add more degree options.
In addition to the full-time student discount, YC also offers a dual-enrollment discount for high school students ($10 per credit), a concurrent enrollment discount for high school students (50% off online classes), and a senior citizen discount (50% off credit classes). In addition, YC’s Promise program for high school graduates and Workforce Promise for career and technical education allows students to get their degrees for free.
A remarkable 1,750 students graduated from Yavapai College this year with 1,981 degrees or certificates. The college’s average age of students is 30. The youngest graduate this year was 15 years old from Yarnell, and the oldest was 79 years old from Prescott Valley. YC had 120 graduates under the age of 18 and 54 graduates over the age of 55.
Those 1,750 individuals now enter the county’s workforce or have upskilled their careers to provide a better life for their families and contribute to the county’s economy. A total of 65% of Yavapai College’s academic programs lead to living wage jobs in Yavapai County, and the college and its students support one out of 33 jobs in the county.
YC fills the needs of students of all ages through learning and training opportunities, as well as community partnerships. The College serves as a stimulus for economic development, and investing in Yavapai College results in return for the local economy. By ensuring that the College’s campuses and centers remain modern and relevant learning environments and simultaneously educating individuals for high-demand, living wage jobs, Yavapai College is fulfilling the needs of its communities.
*Arizonans receive $6.50 of economic return for every $1 invested in the College.
*Overall, Yavapai College annually adds $203.7M in income to the Yavapai County economy. This impact from the college alone is twice as large as the entire arts, entertainment, and recreational industry in the county combined.
*Data from 2021-2022 FY Economic Impact Study
Yavapai College operates six campuses and centers throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, two baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.
To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.
