At $10,765/yr net price, Central Oregon Community College graduates earn $38,940/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,940/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,765 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,060 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,940/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,940/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,752/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,727/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,300/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,315/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,603/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $65,238 | $20,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $35,060 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $33,993 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $32,467 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $28,960 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $27,947 | $11,500 |
The Risk Factor
24.6% of students at Central Oregon Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Central Oregon Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that hinges almost entirely on which program you pick. The median graduate earns about $39,000 ten years out, and the typical debt load of $12,000 is manageable against that. But the 24.6% graduation rate is the real risk here: three out of four students don't finish, and if you leave without the credential, you carry the cost without the earnings bump.
Nursing is the clear winner. At roughly $65,000, it pays about $27,000 more per year than the school's median and out-earns every other program by a wide margin. That gap justifies its higher $20,000 debt load. Allied health diagnostic and treatment work comes next at around $47,000. After that, the returns flatten fast. Health administration, accounting, and industrial production technicians all land between $35,000 and $38,000, at or below the school median. These pay off only because they're cheap and low-debt, not because the earnings are strong.
The net price tiers hold a warning for middle-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay about $7,750 a year. But families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay more than $12,000, and those in the $75,000 to $110,000 range pay the most of anyone at over $14,000. The aid structure squeezes the middle harder than the top.
This school fits you if you're headed into nursing or a health field and want to keep costs low near Bend. Go in with a clear plan to finish, because the low completion rate is the biggest threat to your return. If you're aiming at accounting or the general programs, the payoff is thin, and you should weigh whether the credential moves your earnings at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Oregon Community College worth the money?
Central Oregon Community College offers decent value for specific career programs, particularly nursing which leads to $65,238 median earnings. However, the overall 10-year earnings of $38,940 and 24.6% graduation rate indicate mixed results for many students.
What programs at Central Oregon Community College have the best ROI?
Registered nursing programs provide the strongest return at Central Oregon Community College, with graduates earning a median of $65,238 annually. Allied health diagnostic programs also perform well at $47,260, while general programs lag significantly behind.
How much debt do Central Oregon Community College graduates have?
Central Oregon Community College graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset the modest earning potential for most programs outside of healthcare.
What is the graduation rate at Central Oregon Community College?
Only 24.6% of students graduate from Central Oregon Community College within the typical timeframe. This low completion rate means many students leave without credentials, making the investment risky for those not committed to finishing their program.