Nursing at Chemeketa Community College

Salem, OR · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

enrolling 6,457 students in Salem, OR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $79,890 at Chemeketa Community College come in 15% above the national median of $69,474 for Nursing programs.

The 79.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $79,890 far exceeding the $15,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #390 out of 947 programs, Chemeketa Community College's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $79,890 to $96,144 shows 20% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

84 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
77
Low End
84
Score
85
High End
Earnings $79,890/yr (15% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$993K
4.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
79.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$12,420
Out-of-state: $27,810
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$96,144
20% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Chemeketa Community College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chemeketa Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Chemeketa Community College's Nursing program score?
At 84/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Chemeketa Community College?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Chemeketa Community College, a score of 84/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
How affordable is Nursing at Chemeketa Community College?
Median debt of just $15,000 against $79,890/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Chemeketa Community College?
If Chemeketa Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Nursing graduates from Chemeketa Community College find jobs?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Chemeketa Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in OR may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →