Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Sumner College

Sumner College's nursing program commands a premium price—debt nearly 50% higher than Oregon's median of $23,165—but delivers top-tier national earnings that immediately place graduates at $85,561. That's $17,000 above the national median and roughly equivalent to what most Oregon nursing programs achieve. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41 means graduates earn more than double their debt in the first year, making the loan burden manageable despite the higher sticker price.

Here's the complication: among Oregon's 17 nursing programs, this ranks at the 60th percentile for earnings despite being in Portland's high-wage market. Several community colleges—Lane, Mt Hood, Linn-Benton—produce graduates earning roughly the same or more with substantially less debt. The earnings also remain flat from year one to year four, suggesting graduates hit their ceiling quickly rather than building toward specialized nursing roles that typically command higher pay.

For parents, the calculation is straightforward: you're paying a premium for outcomes that solid community college programs deliver at lower cost. Unless scheduling flexibility or accelerated completion justifies the extra $12,000-15,000 in debt, Oregon's community college nursing programs offer better value. The earnings are strong enough to service the debt comfortably, but this isn't the bargain it might appear when compared to in-state alternatives.