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

The nursing job market in Oregon is remarkably strong, and similar programs across the state suggest Clatsop's graduates likely enter it with solid footing. Oregon's nursing associate degree programs typically produce first-year earnings around $83,700—well above the $68,400 national median—and debt loads around $23,000. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, meaning graduates typically earn their entire debt burden back in just over three months of work.

What's reassuring is how consistent nursing outcomes are across Oregon's community colleges. The top-performing programs in the state show first-year earnings ranging from $85,500 to $90,200, a relatively narrow band that suggests the Oregon nursing labor market values the credential itself more than which specific school granted it. Healthcare employers in coastal and rural areas often offer competitive packages to attract nurses, which could work in graduates' favor.

The caveat: these figures come from peer programs statewide, not Clatsop's specific graduates, so there's uncertainty about whether a smaller coastal program matches the outcomes of larger Portland-area schools. Still, for a two-year degree with estimated debt under $23,000 and entry into a profession where Oregon consistently pays above the national average, the financial fundamentals look sound. Just verify that Clatsop's NCLEX pass rates and job placement statistics match the strength suggested by these statewide earnings patterns.