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

Community College of Denver's Allied Health certificate shows an unusual earnings pattern that deserves scrutiny, particularly given the small sample size of under 30 graduates. That $72,086 first-year figure—landing at the 95th percentile nationally and 80th in Colorado—looks impressive initially, but the 35% drop to $47,037 by year four suggests these graduates may be starting in temporary or contract positions that don't translate into sustainable careers. The $32,510 debt load is more than double Colorado's median for this program ($13,500), which means graduates are carrying significantly more burden than peers at other state schools for what becomes middle-of-the-road earnings.

The comparison to other Colorado community colleges is telling. Red Rocks graduates earn $104,021—nearly twice CCD's four-year figure—while even Aims and Colorado Mountain College deliver more stable outcomes around $50,000 without the debt premium. When you're paying $32,510 for a certificate that leads to earnings comparable to programs costing half as much, the math doesn't favor CCD.

With such a small cohort, these numbers could reflect a handful of exceptional individual circumstances rather than typical program outcomes. Before committing, ask CCD directly about placement rates, what's driving that earnings drop, and whether recent graduates can explain their career trajectories. Given the debt and earnings volatility, families should explore those other Colorado community colleges offering clearer paths in allied health.