Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa's Liberal Arts associate degree produces surprisingly solid outcomes for a general studies program. Graduates earn $29,163 after one year—placing them in the 60th percentile among Oregon community colleges offering this degree and above the national median of $27,248. More importantly, earnings jump 22% to nearly $36,000 by year four, suggesting graduates are finding their footing in the workforce rather than plateauing in entry-level roles.

The debt picture strengthens the case here. At $12,834, borrowing sits below the 30th percentile nationally (meaning 70% of similar programs leave students with more debt), while the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. That's manageable by any standard. Among Oregon's 22 schools offering this degree, Chemeketa trails only Portland CC and Central Oregon CC in graduate earnings—respectable company for a program serving one-third Pell grant recipients in Salem.

The obvious caveat: this is an associate degree in liberal arts, not a professional credential. It's best viewed as a stepping stone—either toward a bachelor's degree or as a credential that opens doors to administrative, service, or retail management positions. For families concerned about cost and debt while their student figures out their path, Chemeketa delivers exactly what a community college should: affordable access with earnings that beat most alternatives in the state.