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

Healthcare workforce demand in Oregon makes nursing credentials particularly valuable, but the slim data available for Clackamas Community College's program requires looking at what comparable certificate programs nationally suggest. Based on those peer programs, graduates might expect around $66,400 in first-year earnings—a solid starting point that aligns with national nursing medians—against estimated debt of $19,250. That 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio falls well below the concerning 1.0 threshold and sits notably lower than the national median debt of $23,562 for similar programs.

The certificate pathway matters here. Unlike associate or bachelor's degrees in nursing, certificate programs typically serve as accelerated entry points for career changers or credential upgrades for existing healthcare workers. If your child fits that profile—perhaps already holding a degree in another field or working as an LPN—this could represent an efficient route to RN licensure without accumulating the debt load of a four-year program. The challenge is that with only four Oregon schools offering this particular credential level, you're working with limited local comparison data.

Here's what matters: verify that this certificate leads to RN licensure eligibility in Oregon (some nursing certificates don't), and confirm it meets your child's specific career goals. If this is their first post-secondary credential and they're starting from scratch, an associate degree in nursing might offer more comprehensive preparation for the same career outcome.