Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Mt Hood Community College

Mt. Hood Community College nursing graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $89,499—well above the state median of $83,747 and ranking in the top 5% nationally. But here's the complication: those earnings drop to $78,754 by year four, falling below what Oregon nursing grads typically earn. This isn't a ceiling problem—it's a trajectory that moves in the wrong direction at a time when most nurses are building their careers.

The $30,031 in debt is higher than most Oregon nursing programs (state median: $23,165), though still manageable with that strong initial salary. You're paying a premium compared to nearby alternatives like Lane Community College, which delivers similar first-year earnings with presumably lower debt loads. The 60th percentile state ranking confirms this is a solid but not exceptional program within Oregon's competitive community college nursing landscape.

The real question is what's driving that earnings decline. If it reflects graduates transitioning to lower-stress positions or part-time work by choice, that's one thing. If it suggests employment instability or limited advancement opportunities, that's another. For families willing to take on slightly more debt for strong initial placement, this works—but watch those peer institutions offering comparable starts without the earnings drop-off.