2026 ROI Award Winner
Median Earnings (1yr)
$58,304
68th percentile
Median Debt
$14,123
26% below national median

Analysis

Community College of Rhode Island's Allied Health program puts graduates on solid financial footing right away, with first-year earnings of $58,304β€”well above the national median and matching the state benchmark. At 60th percentile among Rhode Island programs, it's a reliable choice, though not quite at the top tier. The debt load of $14,123 is reasonable and notably lower than both state and national medians, resulting in a 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio that students can manage comfortably. This suggests the program efficiently prepares students for allied health roles without burdening them with excessive debt.

The modest earnings growth to $60,494 by year four reflects typical patterns in allied health diagnostic rolesβ€”many positions have structured pay scales that reward experience gradually rather than dramatically. While this isn't the explosive growth trajectory of some healthcare professions, it represents stability in a field where employers value technical expertise and certification. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, the program clearly serves a population that needs affordable pathways into healthcare careers.

For an anxious parent, this is straightforward value: your child can enter a stable healthcare field with manageable debt and decent starting pay. The return on investment works from day one, and the relatively flat earnings curve means career satisfaction will matter more than compensation growth over time.

Where Community College of Rhode Island Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Community College of Rhode Island graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Community College of Rhode Island$58,304$60,494+4%
Foothill College$107,048$133,485+25%
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College$100,611$102,539+2%
CUNY LaGuardia Community College$68,603$95,398+39%
New England Institute of Technology$56,860$55,038-3%

Compare to Similar Programs in Rhode Island

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Rhode Island (2 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Community College of Rhode IslandWarwick$5,326$58,304$60,494$14,1230.24
New England Institute of TechnologyEast Greenwich$35,625$56,860$55,038$20,6290.36
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 Community College of Rhode Island, approximately 43% 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 83 graduates with reported earnings and 68 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.