Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Arkansas State University Mid-South

Similar allied health programs across Arkansas suggest first-year earnings around $49,000, with debt near $15,500—a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio that should be repayable within a few years of graduation. But look closer at the timeline: estimated earnings of $49,000 in year one drop to $45,000 by year four. That's unusual and potentially troubling, since most careers see income growth over time, not decline.

This downward trajectory raises questions about the specific allied health specializations this program feeds into. While Arkansas Tech and Pulaski Tech grads with similar credentials are earning $60,000-$64,000, graduates from comparable programs cluster in the $45,000-$50,000 range. The difference likely comes down to which allied health roles students pursue—respiratory therapists and sonographers command higher salaries than medical assistants or phlebotomists, for instance.

The modest debt load is a real advantage, particularly compared to the $19,000 national median. But before committing, you need to understand what specific certifications or licensures this program prepares students for, and what those roles actually pay in the Memphis metro area. The earnings drop-off and wide variance among Arkansas programs suggest that the degree itself matters less than the career path students choose within it.