Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa's nursing program graduates earn nearly $80,000 right out of the gate—crushing the national median by over $11,000 and landing in the 90th percentile nationally. But here's the Oregon twist: that same salary only reaches the 40th percentile among the state's nursing programs, where the median graduate makes $84,000. This isn't a program weakness—it's a market reality. Oregon's nursing salaries are exceptionally strong across the board, and Chemeketa sits comfortably in the middle of that elevated pack.

The debt picture looks reasonable at about $24,000, which is only 30% of first-year earnings. That's manageable by any standard, and graduates see earnings tick up to $82,000 by year four. However, keep in mind these figures come from a small sample of recent graduates, so individual experiences could vary more than usual. The top Oregon programs like Rogue and Lane Community College show graduates earning closer to $90,000, suggesting geographic factors or employer connections might play a role in placement outcomes.

For families choosing an Oregon nursing program, Chemeketa offers solid preparation at a manageable debt load, though it won't deliver the absolute highest starting salaries in the state. If your child already lives near Salem or wants the community college environment, the financial fundamentals work. If maximizing starting salary is the priority and you have geographic flexibility, comparing clinical placement rates at schools like Rogue or Lane might be worthwhile.