Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging

Among Virginia's allied health programs, this Richmond hospital-based training stands out for delivering genuinely strong outcomes. At $61,647 in first-year earnings, graduates essentially match the top-performing community college programs in the state while taking on debt-to-earnings of just 0.35—less than half what graduates would owe for four months' salary. That's a manageable load for someone entering a healthcare career with steady income.

The $21,000 debt figure sits higher than Virginia's median for these programs, but the tradeoff makes sense: you're earning $19,000 more annually than the typical Virginia graduate in this field, ranking in the 80th percentile statewide. Nationally, the gap is even wider—$16,000 above the median—suggesting the hospital's direct industry connections and focused training deliver clear market advantages. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs, but the pattern is encouraging.

For a parent weighing options, this program offers something straightforward: specialized healthcare training that gets your child earning well above average within a year, without the debt burden that would force compromises on where to live or work. That's a solid foundation for a sustainable career path.