Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Linn-Benton Community College

Linn-Benton graduates start strong—earning nearly $60,000 right out of the gate places them in the top quarter nationally. But here's the catch: four years later, those same graduates are making $4,000 less. That earnings decline is unusual in healthcare fields, where experience typically increases value. The $21,000 debt load is reasonable and manageable at 35% of first-year earnings, but the backward trajectory raises questions about whether graduates are settling into lower-paying roles or facing limited advancement opportunities.

The Oregon comparison reveals another concern. While Linn-Benton outperforms the national median, it sits below the middle of the pack among Oregon programs. The state's top community colleges—Chemeketa, Central Oregon, and Portland—place graduates into roles earning $12,000-$16,000 more. That gap compounds over a career and suggests either different program specializations or stronger employer connections at competing schools.

The takeaway: Your child will likely land a decent-paying job quickly with manageable debt, which matters. But if they're staying in Oregon and have access to programs at Chemeketa or the other top performers, the earnings premium elsewhere is substantial enough to warrant serious consideration. If Linn-Benton is the local option and they're avoiding housing costs, the convenience factor may offset the earnings gap—just go in understanding the ceiling appears lower here.