At $8,457/yr net price, Chemeketa Community College graduates earn $40,968/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,968/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,457 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,828 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,968/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,968/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,822 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,562/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,162/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,960/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,806/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,741/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 | $71,734 | $15,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Associate | $64,493 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $62,508 | $10,500 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $41,193 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $40,896 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $35,060 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $35,060 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $32,569 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Associate | $28,598 |
The Risk Factor
22.2% of students at Chemeketa 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
Chemeketa Community College keeps your costs low and your debt lower. At $8,457 a year in net price and a median debt of $12,822 at graduation, you leave owing less than the price of a used car. That debt figure is the strongest number here, and it should anchor how you read everything else.
The return is mixed, and the reason is the graduation rate. At 22.20%, fewer than one in four students who start here finish. If you finish, the low debt makes the math work. If you don't, you still pay tuition without the credential, and that is the central financial risk at Chemeketa. Median earnings ten years out sit at $40,968, which is modest and roughly what you'd expect from a school where most students are two-year and vocational rather than four-year degree seekers.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed here, so there's no honest way to tell you which majors at Chemeketa pay off and which don't. Pick your program based on the Salem-area job market and Chemeketa's occupational tracks, and confirm placement rates directly with the department before you enroll.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay $6,562. over $110k, you pay $14,741, more than double. If your family earns under $48k, this is one of the cheaper paths to a credential in Oregon.
Chemeketa fits you if you're cost-sensitive, local, and committed to finishing a specific vocational or transfer program. If you want a four-year degree with strong earnings data behind it, the missing program numbers and the 22% completion rate mean you should compare against a four-year school before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chemeketa Community College worth the money?
Chemeketa Community College offers decent value with low debt ($12,822) and strong earnings in nursing and engineering programs that pay $60,000-$71,000 annually. However, the 22% graduation rate is concerning and means many students don't complete their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Chemeketa Community College?
Nursing programs at Chemeketa lead earnings at $71,734 annually, followed by electrical engineering at $64,493 and allied health at $62,508. Avoid general programs since specialized technical training drives the strong ROI here.
How much debt do Chemeketa Community College graduates have?
Chemeketa graduates carry relatively low debt at $12,822, well below national averages for community colleges. The annual net price of $8,457 keeps costs manageable for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Chemeketa Community College?
Only 22% of students graduate from Chemeketa Community College, which is low even for community colleges. This suggests many students struggle to complete programs or transfer before finishing.