Est. Earnings (1yr)
$83,747
Est. from OR median (12 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,999
Est. from OR median (12 programs)

Analysis

Oregon's nursing programs consistently deliver strong financial outcomes, and Klamath Community College appears to be no exception. Based on comparable associate degree nursing programs across the state, graduates here likely earn around $83,700 in their first year—substantially above the $68,400 national median for this degree. Paired with an estimated $23,000 in debt, that translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, meaning graduates would earn nearly four times what they owe in just their first year of work.

The caveat worth noting is that small graduate cohorts at Klamath mean these figures are derived from peer programs statewide rather than tracked outcomes from this specific school. However, Oregon's nursing labor market is consistently robust, and even the state's lower-performing programs show first-year earnings in the mid-$80,000s. The top community college nursing programs in Oregon—Rogue, Lane, Mt Hood—report earnings in the $89,000-$90,000 range, suggesting Klamath's graduates could potentially do even better than the state median estimate.

For a two-year degree, this financial profile is compelling. If Klamath's program mirrors its Oregon peers, your child would enter a high-demand field with manageable debt and immediate earning power that rivals many bachelor's degrees. The primary risk is simply that we're working with estimated rather than school-specific data.

Where Klamath Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Oregon

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Oregon (17 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Klamath Community CollegeKlamath Falls$4,857$83,747*$22,999*
Rogue Community CollegeGrants Pass$5,184$90,235*$86,425$20,950*0.23
Lane Community CollegeEugene$5,879$89,567*$81,491$23,165*0.26
Mt Hood Community CollegeGresham$5,175$89,499*$78,754$30,031*0.34
Umpqua Community CollegeRoseburg$5,909$88,854*$85,914$20,500*0.23
Sumner CollegePortland$85,561*$84,827$35,404*0.41
National Median$68,409*$20,751*0.30
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:
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 12 similar programs in OR. Actual outcomes may vary.