Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Cabrillo College

When graduates report earning nearly $94,000 four years out, the trajectory tells an encouraging story—but the initial climb appears slower than comparable allied health programs elsewhere. Based on similar programs in California, first-year earnings around $41,000 are typical for the state, though this lags the $45,746 national median. The estimated debt of $15,250, also derived from peer programs, sits below both California's typical $19,949 and the national median, which helps offset the modest starting salary.

The real question is what happens between year one and year four to drive that substantial earnings jump. Some allied health fields require additional certification or experience before moving into higher-paying roles—think diagnostic imaging or respiratory therapy positions that build toward specialized work. If this certificate serves as a stepping stone toward those opportunities, the debt load is manageable enough not to derail that progression.

The challenge for parents is that we're working with limited actual data from Cabrillo's specific program, making it harder to know whether this particular certificate delivers similar outcomes. Before committing, verify exactly which credentials this program provides and whether local employers recognize them as pathways to the higher-earning roles suggested by that four-year figure. That $94,000 outcome matters only if this specific certificate reliably gets students there.