2026 ROI Award Winner
Median Earnings (1yr)
$54,939
53rd percentile
60th percentile in Idaho
Median Debt
$14,255
25% below national median

Analysis

College of Southern Idaho graduates start strong at nearly $55,000, placing them in the 60th percentile among Idaho's allied health programsβ€”solidly above the state median of $54,110. The debt load of $14,255 is manageable, though higher than you'd ideally want for an associate degree. However, the earnings trajectory tells an unusual story: by year four, median income drops to $43,000, a 22% decline that warrants attention.

This earnings pattern could reflect several realities in Idaho's healthcare job marketβ€”perhaps graduates start in higher-paying hospital settings but transition to clinic work, or initial positions include shift differentials that later phase out. It's also possible some graduates move into related fields with different compensation structures. Whatever the cause, the year-four earnings still cover the debt comfortably, and the low initial debt burden provides financial breathing room that many healthcare programs don't offer.

For families prioritizing immediate employment at decent wages with minimal debt, this program delivers. The risk lies in that four-year drop: if your child plans to stay in this field long-term in Idaho, they should understand early what drives the salary decline and whether career advancement paths exist to reverse it. The program gets students working quickly without crushing debt, but career trajectory planning matters more here than usual.

Where College of Southern Idaho Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How College of Southern Idaho graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
College of Southern Idaho$54,939$43,007-22%
Foothill College$107,048$133,485+25%
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College$100,611$102,539+2%
Idaho State University$62,226$49,384-21%
College of Eastern Idaho$33,617$33,108-2%

Compare to Similar Programs in Idaho

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Idaho (7 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
College of Southern IdahoTwin Falls$3,360$54,939$43,007$14,2550.26
Idaho State UniversityPocatello$8,356$62,226$49,384$27,9850.45
College of Western IdahoNampa$3,336$53,281β€”$13,3940.25
College of Eastern IdahoIdaho Falls$3,390$33,617$33,108β€”β€”
National Medianβ€”$54,327β€”$19,1130.35

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions graduates

Medical Dosimetrists

Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.

$138,110/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Physician Assistants

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Anesthesiologist Assistants

Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nuclear Technicians

Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiation Therapists

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

$101,990/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

$97,020/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

$89,340/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Respiratory Therapists

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

$80,450/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At College of Southern Idaho, approximately 19% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 33 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.