Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Chattanooga State Community College

Chattanooga State's Allied Health program punches above its weight within Tennessee, landing at the 60th percentile among state programs despite ranking only in the 36th percentile nationally. This makes sense when you consider Tennessee's allied health earnings tend to run below the national average—the state median is $46,736 versus $54,327 nationally. For Tennessee families, this program delivers above-average results at a below-average price point.

The numbers work reasonably well from a return-on-investment standpoint. At $15,935 in debt, graduates owe about $3,700 less than the typical Tennessee allied health student and nearly $3,200 less than the national average. That debt represents just 31% of first-year earnings—manageable by most standards—and earnings climb 9% by year four to $55,326. One-third of students receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves students who may not have extensive family financial backing.

While you won't match the $75,955 that Meridian Institute graduates earn, you're also dealing with far less specialized training at a community college price. For students planning to work in Tennessee, this represents a solid entry point into healthcare careers with debt that won't become a burden.