Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,066
Est. from CA median (28 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$15,250
Est. from CA median (3 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $41,000 for this certificate, with debt estimated at $15,250—a ratio of 0.37 that looks manageable on paper. But the real story emerges four years out, when median earnings jump to nearly $70,000. That trajectory indicates graduates are either advancing quickly within their field or using this certificate as a stepping stone to better positions, which is exactly what you'd hope for from a shorter credential program.

The wide range among California's allied health programs—from $41,000 to over $117,000—reveals how much outcomes depend on the specific concentration within this broad field. Some allied health certificates lead to in-demand specialties with immediate earning power, while others serve as entry points requiring additional training. Without knowing which concentration Butte offers or having actual graduate outcomes for this program, it's difficult to know where it falls in that spectrum. The estimated debt is below both the state median ($19,949) and slightly above the national figure ($14,167), suggesting reasonable borrowing levels for a community college certificate.

The four-year earnings figure provides the strongest evidence here—it's actual data, not an estimate—and shows graduates doing substantially better than the state median suggests for year one. If your child is considering this as preparation for a specific allied health career with clear licensing or certification requirements, verify that Butte's program meets those standards and check job placement rates directly with the school.

Where Butte College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Butte College$69,939
Loma Linda University$90,583$99,255+10%
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts$43,725$82,985+90%
Smith Chason College$59,472$82,930+39%
Crafton Hills College$117,351$76,522-35%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (112 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Butte CollegeOroville$1,336$41,066*$69,939$15,250*
Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipa$1,188$117,351*$76,522$23,000*0.20
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda$90,583*$99,255$25,000*0.28
Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USDConcord$88,513**
Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley Glen$1,238$82,599**
Merced CollegeMerced$1,194$78,871*$11,150*0.14
National Median$45,746*$14,167*0.31
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions graduates

Medical Dosimetrists

Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.

$138,110/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Physician Assistants

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Anesthesiologist Assistants

Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nuclear Technicians

Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiation Therapists

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

$101,990/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

$97,020/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

$89,340/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Respiratory Therapists

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

$80,450/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Butte College, approximately 34% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 28 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.