Criminal Justice and Corrections at Central Oregon Community College

First-year earnings of $37,992 position this program solidly in the middle of Oregon's criminal justice landscape—matching the state median exactly and landing well above the national average for similar programs. While the earnings figure is reported, the estimated $12,000 debt load (based on typical borrowing patterns at community colleges nationally) would produce a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's notably better than the state's median debt of $24,000 for criminal justice programs, suggesting Central Oregon keeps costs reasonable even if we don't have exact borrowing data for this specific cohort.

The concerning element here is the complete absence of earnings growth over four years—graduates earn essentially the same amount whether they're one year or four years out. This stagnation is unusual and suggests limited advancement opportunities in the local job market or that many graduates may be hitting early career ceilings in entry-level positions. For context, comparable programs in Oregon show similar patterns at some schools but considerably stronger outcomes at others, like Portland Community College where graduates earn $45,061.

For parents, this translates to a relatively safe financial bet if your student plans to work in criminal justice locally—the modest estimated debt won't create lasting financial strain. However, the flat earnings trajectory means there's little financial upside to staying in this field long-term without additional credentials or career pivots. If your child is using this as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or specific law enforcement career, that makes sense. As a terminal credential for steady income growth, the numbers suggest limitations.