Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Clatsop Community College

Similar vehicle maintenance programs in Oregon suggest this associate degree leads to first-year earnings around $45,000—right at the state median and slightly above the national benchmark of $43,000. The estimated $11,425 in debt produces a manageable 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly three months of their first-year salary.

The real question is whether Clatsop can compete with Portland Community College's outcomes, where graduates report earning $48,000 in their first year. That $3,000 difference matters in this field, though it may reflect Portland's stronger job market rather than program quality. Still, for students who can commute to Clatsop or prefer a smaller community college setting, the estimated debt burden here is reasonable enough that the location trade-off might work financially.

The practical takeaway: automotive technology offers steady entry-level earnings whether you attend Clatsop or one of Oregon's larger community colleges. The debt load based on peer programs shouldn't create financial strain if you're committed to the field. But before enrolling, contact Clatsop directly to ask about their actual job placement rates and where recent graduates are working—those concrete details matter more than statewide estimates when you're investing two years and $11,000 in training.