Nursing Degree in Eugene, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Eugene, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$88K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$107K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.9 yrs
in Eugene
Cost of Living
130
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Eugene, OR Overview
Eugene, Oregon (pop. 176,654) has 14 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 130 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,157/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Eugene is approximately $88,400.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,720/yr
Private Tuition
$33,710/yr
Room & Board
$18,672/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,904/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
68%
Nursing Salary in Eugene (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Eugene's cost of living index of 130 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Eugene adjustment factor: 1.30x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Eugene
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Eugene tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,720 | Private avg: $33,710
Eugene avg aid: $14,904/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$125,568
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$42,900
vs HS diploma in Eugene
ROI Payback Period
2.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Eugene
$784,432
Lifetime earnings premium ($910,000) minus total education cost ($125,568)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Eugene
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Eugene for Nursing
University of Oregon
public
$12,720/yr
$50,880 total
Northwest Christian University
private
$33,710/yr
$134,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Lane Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Eugene
Eugene offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Eugene Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$76K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Salem, OR
$82K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$75K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$79K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$73K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$72K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$75K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$82K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Eugene
Pharmacy
$65K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$65K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$65K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$65K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$65K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$65K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Nursing degree outcomes in Eugene, OR: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Nursing programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Oregon.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Eugene using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Nursing graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Nursing career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Nursing grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Eugene Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Oregon students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Oregon programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "oregon higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Nursing Degree in Eugene — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Eugene.