It was founded as Yakima Valley Community College in 1928 with Elizabeth Prior serving as the institution's first president.

[2] YVC's service district covers more than 8,000 square miles (21,000 km2), encompassing Yakima, Kittitas and Klickitat counties.

The effort was led by Charles L. Littel, superindendent of the Yakima School District at the time.

The first building on the college's new campus was dedicated in 1949 and named after its first president, Elizabeth Prior.

The college also offers Running Start, a program that enables eligible high school juniors and seniors in Washington State the opportunity to enroll in YVC classes and receive both high school and college credit with no tuition cost.