Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Community College of Denver

Community College of Denver's Allied Health program places graduates within striking distance of the top performers in Colorado while keeping debt significantly below the national median. At $57,873 starting, graduates earn more than the national average and land right at Colorado's median—reasonable performance in a competitive state market where the top program (Red Rocks) only edges ahead by about $5,000. More importantly, the $24,375 debt load translates to a 0.42 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe less than half their first year's salary—a comfortable threshold for an associate degree program.

The 7% earnings growth to $61,769 by year four suggests stable career progression in diagnostic and treatment roles, though it's worth noting this program sits in the middle of Colorado's pack rather than at the top. For families weighing options, the tradeoff is straightforward: you're paying somewhat more in debt than the state median ($1,500 extra) but starting with earnings that justify it. The 60th percentile state ranking means three out of five comparable programs produce lower-earning graduates.

For an associate degree requiring two years and under $25,000 in loans, this delivers solid returns—especially for the 31% of students here on Pell grants who need affordable pathways into healthcare careers. If your student can access Red Rocks or Front Range, those slight earnings advantages might be worth exploring, but this program offers dependable economic outcomes without excessive risk.