Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Central Oregon Community College

A first-year salary of $74,698 puts Central Oregon's allied health program among the strongest performers nationally—landing at the 95th percentile and matching top Oregon schools like Chemeketa and Portland Community College. Based on comparable programs in Oregon, graduates likely carry around $21,216 in debt, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28. This initial picture looks promising for an associate degree program.

The concerning part is what happens next: earnings drop to $54,508 by year four, a 27% decline that's unusual for healthcare fields. This could reflect graduates working part-time, taking breaks for family needs, or moving into different roles within allied health. It might also suggest the specific diagnostic or treatment niche this program trains for has limited advancement potential. The year-four figure still beats the national median of $54,327, but it falls short of Oregon's typical $60,921 and ranks at just the 60th percentile statewide.

For parents, the question becomes whether that strong starting salary compensates for uncertain earnings trajectory. If your student plans to work full-time immediately after graduation and the debt estimate holds true, the program offers quick payoff potential. But the earnings drop raises real questions about long-term value compared to other Oregon programs where salaries hold steady or grow. Understanding which specific allied health career this program targets would clarify whether that decline is typical for the field or a warning sign.