Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Concordia University Ann Arbor

Concordia's allied health program shows a troubling trajectory: graduates earn $67,407 right out of school—above both state and national medians—but see that drop to $52,449 by year four. That's a 22% decline in earnings at precisely the career stage when most programs see growth. Among Michigan's 22 allied health programs, Concordia ranks at the 60th percentile initially, but that advantage evaporates quickly. The $26,497 in typical debt is manageable at first-year earnings, but becomes a heavier burden as income contracts.

This earnings pattern likely reflects graduates entering roles with compressed salary scales or shifting to part-time positions—common in certain allied health specializations where advancement opportunities are limited. While the initial placement looks solid (above programs like Oakland University and Wayne State), the four-year data suggests graduates may face career ceiling issues or work-life balance tradeoffs that reduce hours. For context, Siena Heights graduates earn $76,696 while Ferris State matches Concordia's first-year figure but presumably maintains better stability.

The bottom line: if your child is considering this program, understand they're likely looking at immediate employability but potentially stagnant or declining compensation. That makes this degree most viable if paired with clear plans for advancement through additional credentials or if the career flexibility justifies accepting lower mid-career earnings. The debt load is reasonable, but only if those first-year earnings represent the peak rather than a launching point.