Special Education and Teaching at Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa's Special Education associate program produces graduates earning $32,829 initially—a figure that lands in the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile within Oregon. This disparity suggests that while special education associates generally earn less across the country, Oregon's market pays relatively well for these roles, and this program performs middle-of-the-pack locally. The $24,087 in median debt translates to a manageable 0.73 debt-to-earnings ratio, with graduates owing roughly nine months of their first-year salary. Earnings grow modestly to $35,870 by year four, providing some financial runway as graduates gain experience.

The critical caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. That said, the fundamentals look reasonable for an associate degree: you're taking on less than a year's salary in debt for stable employment in a field with consistent demand. For families considering this path, the tradeoff is clear: limited earning potential (even top performers in this field don't break into high-income territory) in exchange for relatively quick entry into meaningful work supporting students with special needs. If your child is committed to special education and wants to start working quickly without bachelor's-level debt, this program offers a practical entry point—just recognize the earnings ceiling is real.