Analysis
Similar criminal justice programs in Oregon suggest first-year earnings around $38,000—right at the state median and notably above the national benchmark of $33,000. Combined with an estimated $12,000 in debt (well below Oregon's $24,000 state median), this points to manageable financial positioning if these peer-program figures hold true for Klamath graduates.
The estimated 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio would be encouraging: a third of first-year salary in debt is generally workable for associate degree holders entering public safety careers. However, the reality is that outcomes can vary significantly between programs. Portland Community College's reported graduates earn $45,000—nearly $7,000 more than comparable programs suggest for Klamath—showing that institutional differences matter even within the same state.
For an anxious parent, here's what matters: if Klamath's actual outcomes track with similar Oregon programs, this represents a reasonable community college investment with relatively light debt burden. But you're making this decision with limited visibility into this specific program's track record. Before committing, press the school for concrete placement data—where do their criminal justice graduates actually work, and what do local law enforcement agencies and corrections facilities say about hiring from this program? The estimated numbers suggest promise, but you need real outcomes to make a confident choice.
Where Klamath Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all criminal justice and corrections associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon
Criminal Justice and Corrections associates's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (15 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,857 | $37,992* | — | $12,000* | — | |
| $5,040 | $45,061* | $38,215 | $24,000* | 0.53 | |
| $4,941 | $37,992* | $38,112 | —* | — | |
| $6,210 | $33,406* | $42,766 | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $33,269* | — | $14,230* | 0.43 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with criminal justice and corrections graduates
Financial Examiners
Emergency Management Directors
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Compliance Officers
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers
Government Property Inspectors and Investigators
Regulatory Affairs Specialists
Customs Brokers
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Police Identification and Records Officers
Intelligence Analysts
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Klamath Community College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in OR. Actual outcomes may vary.