Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Arizona Western College

Arizona Western's allied health program produces first-year earnings of $44,895—trailing both the Arizona median ($57,315) and national average ($54,327) by substantial margins. While the estimated debt load of $11,167 is relatively modest (based on comparable programs in Arizona), the core issue is that graduates appear to be entering the workforce at a significant earnings disadvantage compared to their peers across the state.

The gap is particularly striking when you look at Arizona's competitive landscape. Top-performing programs like Yavapai College and Pima Medical Institute report outcomes in the low $60,000s, while even the median Arizona program produces about $12,000 more annually than Arizona Western. That difference compounds over time, and the modest 6% earnings growth through year four suggests graduates aren't rapidly closing this gap. For context, the national median for this credential is roughly 21% higher than what Arizona Western graduates typically see.

The practical reality: if your child is committed to this field and location matters, the manageable debt means this program won't bury them financially. But if they have geographic flexibility or can commute to one of Arizona's higher-performing programs, the earnings data suggests they'd be starting their career from a much stronger position. The debt-to-earnings ratio is workable, but the opportunity cost of significantly lower earnings deserves serious consideration before committing.