Why Chemeketa?
Whether you’re about to graduate high school, returning to college after some time off or want to make a career change, Chemeketa has a place for you.
Small Class Sizes
If you're ready to prepare for your future, Chemeketa’s faculty and staff are committed to your success in the classroom and beyond.
The college’s open enrollment policy means students from all walks of life are welcome here. Our diverse student body means you’ll not only learn class content but how to work with people from different backgrounds—a huge asset in today’s job market.
Flexible Schedule, Low-Cost Classes & Textbooks
Don’t think you can afford college? More than 60% of Chemeketa students receive scholarships and financial aid.
Low-cost tuition and fees means your money will go further at Chemeketa. While a college education costs real money, we're doing everything we can to keep our tuition among the lowest in Oregon and provide you with affordable textbooks.
Finish the first two years of your bachelor’s degree or launch your career through day, evening and weekend classes in Salem, McMinnville, Dallas, Woodburn and online.
A Rich & Diverse Student Life
What you learn outside the classroom can be just as important as what you learn in class. You can join a club, play or cheer for our athletic teams, or attend a concert or special event. Getting involved and meeting students like you is easy at Chemeketa.
Student Services to Help You Succeed
Chemeketa offers a variety of services and opportunities to help you succeed in college and beyond.
Advising, Counseling and Career Services can put you on the right path to graduate and start your career while internships and work-study jobs can give you job experience while you’re still a student.
Writing and tutoring and study skills services are available to all Chemeketa students. Veterans, disability, CAMP and TRiO programs offer additional college support to those who need it.
We also have additional resources and programs to help you meet other personal needs.
A Reputation for Quality and Value
Chemeketa is regularly honored as a top school in Oregon where you can get a high-quality education at an affordable cost:
- Chemeketa's Hospitality & Tourism Management program ranked in the Top 5 online associate's degree programs by Intelligent.com, and has Top 30 rankings in office administration and accounting
- Chemeketa is ranked one of the top 10 trade schools in Oregon by Best Value Schools
- CollegeFactual.com ranks Chemeketa as one of the three best schools in Oregon for an Associate degree and the best school in Oregon to receive an Associate degree in accounting, office management, computer science, and computer information systems.
- UniversityHQ ranks Chemeketa as one of the three best schools in Oregon for an online Associate degree.
- Chemeketa's Hospitality & Tourism Management program is ranked one of the 10 best Associate degree programs in America by Best Hospitality Degrees and one of the 11 best values in America for an online Associate degree by Great Value Colleges
- RegisteredNursing.org ranked Chemeketa's Nursing program as the best RN program in the state of Oregon
- NursingProcess ranked Chemeketa as the best LVN/LPN program in the state of Oregon
- Nurse.org ranks Chemeketa's Nursing program as one of the 10 best in the state of Oregon
- Chemeketa's Accounting program was named one of the 21 best online associate's accounting programs by Intelligent.com.
- Chemeketa's Diesel Technology program was named in the top 15 out of almost 300 schools across the U.S. and Canada participating in Daimler Truck North America's Get Ahead Program.
- Our Nursing program was named the best in Oregon by Becker's Hospital Review.
Chemeketa at a Glance
102
Degrees and certificates offered
$138
Total cost per credit (tuition and universal fee)
48%
Percentage of students who receive Federal financial aid
$1,200
Average scholarship award from the Chemeketa Foundation
2,314
Full-time student enrollment (2022-23)
10,227
Part-time student enrollment (2022-23)
5,353
Non-credit student enrollment (2022-23)
3 in 10
First generation college students (degree-seeking)
641
Chemeketa Scholars (2022-23)
1,713
Oregon Promise students (2022-23)