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

Arkansas State's graduates in this field start strong at $60,202—matching the state median and landing near the national average—but earnings drop to $51,618 by year four. This downward trajectory is the program's biggest weakness, particularly concerning given that allied health careers typically offer steady advancement. Among Arkansas's nine schools offering this program, ASU ranks in the 60th percentile, trailing UAMS (which posts $63,598 four-year earnings) but offering notably lower debt loads.

The financial fundamentals are solid: $20,000 in debt is well below both state and national medians, creating a manageable 0.33 debt-to-earnings ratio in that first year. For context, this program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally for low debt—a significant advantage for families watching costs. The accessible 70% admission rate means most qualified Arkansas students can gain entry without extreme academic pressure.

The real question is whether graduates are moving into lower-paying roles after year one, facing local market constraints, or switching career paths. For an Arkansas family, this program offers an affordable entry point into allied health with immediate earning power, but you'll want to understand why earnings decline rather than grow. If your student plans to pursue additional certifications or specialize after graduation, this foundation could work well. If they expect year-one earnings to represent their career floor rather than ceiling, look more carefully at what's driving that income drop.