Nursing Degree in Medford, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Medford, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$75K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$91K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.8 yrs
in Medford
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Medford, OR Overview
While Medford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Nursing students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,881/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Medford is approximately $75,480.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,326/yr
Private Tuition
$41,865/yr
Room & Board
$14,881/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,464/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Nursing Salary in Medford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Medford's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Medford adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Medford
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Medford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,326 | Private avg: $41,865
Medford avg aid: $14,464/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$36,630
vs HS diploma in Medford
ROI Payback Period
2.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Medford
$676,172
Lifetime earnings premium ($777,000) minus total education cost ($100,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Medford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Medford for Nursing
Southern Oregon University
public
$10,326/yr
$41,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rogue Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Medford
Medford offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Medford 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
Eugene, OR
$88K starting · COL 130
14 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
Springfield, OR
$82K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Medford
Pharmacy
$56K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$56K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$56K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$56K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$56K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Medford — 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 Medford.