Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Bismarck State College

With limited graduate data available, Bismarck State College's program estimates suggest a debt load of around $16,700—notably lower than the $25,000 median for North Dakota's allied health diagnostic programs and well below the $19,113 national benchmark. If these estimates hold true, graduates would face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, meaning roughly four months of first-year income would cover the entire debt. That's a manageable starting point for entering the healthcare field, where allied health professionals typically find steady employment.

The earnings estimate of $54,327 aligns with the national median for these programs and edges slightly above North Dakota's state median of $51,036. However, it's worth noting that comparable programs in the state show significant variation—the single program with reported data shows similar earnings, but the state debt median suggests some programs burden students with substantially more debt for similar outcomes. Whether Bismarck State's lower debt estimate reflects actual program efficiency or simply the nature of its student body won't be clear until the school reports actual graduate outcomes.

For an anxious parent, the math looks reasonable on paper: healthcare credentials with contained debt and earning potential that starts in the low-to-mid $50,000s. But these are peer-derived estimates, not this program's track record. Before committing, verify the specific allied health track your child would pursue (these programs can range from surgical tech to respiratory therapy) and confirm actual job placement rates directly with the school.