Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Chemeketa Community College

Chemeketa's auto tech program graduates students with manageable debt but lags significantly behind other Oregon schools in earnings outcomes. At $35,827 in the first year, graduates earn about $9,000 less than the state median for this field—placing this program in just the 25th percentile statewide. For context, Portland Community College's graduates in the same program earn nearly $12,000 more right out of the gate.

The low debt load of $10,616 keeps this program from being a clearly poor investment, and earnings do climb to nearly $46,000 by year four. That 28% growth trajectory is solid, though it still leaves graduates trailing their peers at other Oregon schools. The real concern is starting so far behind: in an industry where technicians can command good wages quickly, beginning at the bottom quartile statewide means lost earnings that compound over time.

Given the small graduating class (under 30 students), these numbers could shift year to year. But right now, Oregon families have better options for auto tech training at comparable community colleges. Unless Chemeketa offers specific advantages like location or schedule flexibility that matter for your situation, programs at Portland CC or Linn-Benton deliver substantially better earning potential with similar or lower debt burdens.