Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Central Texas College

At $13,519 in estimated debt—about $4,000 below what similar Texas programs typically carry—Central Texas College's allied health program appears to set up a manageable financial foundation. Based on comparable programs across Texas, graduates can expect around $55,965 in first-year earnings, putting the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.24. That's a solid number: you'd owe roughly three months of gross income, which most financial advisors consider very workable territory.

The catch is uncertainty. The Department of Education suppresses data here because too few graduates were tracked, so we're relying on what peer programs typically produce. Some comparable programs in Texas—like Hill College and South Texas College—report substantially higher earnings in the $68,000-$78,000 range, though these are actual outcomes rather than estimates. Allied health is a broad category spanning everything from diagnostic imaging to respiratory therapy, and career trajectories vary widely depending on the specific certification or role graduates pursue.

What matters most is which specific allied health credential this associate's degree leads to. If it's a pathway to a licensed or certified position with clear job demand in the Killeen-Fort Hood area, the modest debt burden gives you flexibility. If it's a stepping stone requiring additional training, factor that into your total investment calculation. Central Texas College serves a substantial population of students with financial need, and the lower estimated debt suggests they're managing costs responsibly—but confirm exactly what credential your child will hold upon completion.