Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians at Cowley County Community College

Cowley County's radiologic tech program lands its graduates at earnings that trail the national median by about $3,800 in the first year, placing it in just the 5th percentile nationally. Yet within Kansas, where only two schools offer this program, it sits at the 60th percentile—essentially matching the state median. The $10,625 debt load translates to a modest 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly three months' salary.

The real story here is trajectory. First-year earnings of $42,232 jump 34% to reach $56,546 by year four, pushing well past the national median and suggesting this program leads to careers with genuine advancement potential. That growth pattern matters more than the soft start, especially given the manageable debt. For Kansas families looking to stay in-state, this represents a reasonable path into healthcare imaging without the crushing debt that plagues many associate programs.

The caveat: with only two Kansas programs and 19 nationally, you're looking at a specialized field with limited competition but also limited geographic flexibility. If your student plans to leave Kansas, they'll be competing with graduates from programs that post stronger initial numbers. But for in-state careers with room to grow? The math works—low debt, strong mid-career earnings, and access to a healthcare specialty that isn't going anywhere.