Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Avila University

Avila's Allied Health program produces graduates earning less than the Missouri median while carrying more debt—a combination that places it in the bottom half statewide. At $55,605 in first-year earnings, graduates trail the typical Missouri program by over $6,000 annually, and they're doing so with debt loads above both state and national norms. The 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming in isolation, but it becomes less comfortable when earnings drop nearly 7% by year four instead of growing.

The downward earnings trajectory deserves attention. While many healthcare fields see steady salary increases as professionals gain experience and certifications, Avila graduates in this program appear to be losing ground. This could reflect job placement patterns, the specific allied health specialties graduates enter, or local market dynamics in Kansas City—but whatever the cause, it's worth investigating. Programs at Missouri's flagship campus or Cox College show what's possible: graduates earning $10,000-$13,000 more annually from the start.

The small sample size here (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year, so don't treat them as gospel. Still, when a program underperforms both state and national benchmarks on earnings while carrying higher debt, that's a pattern worth questioning. Before committing, find out which specific allied health careers these graduates pursue and whether those align with your child's goals—some allied health tracks simply pay less than others.