Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at College of DuPage

College of DuPage graduates earn significantly more than typical allied health diagnostic program graduates—about $8,000 above the national median and $8,500 above the Illinois state median. The school ranks in the 60th percentile among Illinois programs, trailing only a handful of community colleges like Harper and Malcolm X. More importantly, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates earn their full debt load back in roughly three months of work, which is excellent for any healthcare program and particularly strong for an associate's degree.

The $17,250 debt sits slightly below the national average but above Illinois's median of $13,500. However, the robust starting salary more than compensates—these graduates are positioned to pay off loans quickly while building careers in stable healthcare fields. The 84th percentile national ranking suggests the program delivers better outcomes than most comparable programs across the country, even if it doesn't quite crack the very top tier within Illinois.

For families in the Chicago suburbs, this represents a solid investment with minimal financial risk. Starting at $62,000 with manageable debt gives graduates immediate earning power and flexibility to either enter the workforce or continue their education from a position of financial stability.