Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Dominican University of California

California's allied health programs show dramatic variation in outcomes, and Dominican's estimated figures place it in the middle of the pack. First-year earnings around $40,000—derived from the state median for similar programs—lag behind schools like National University ($55,679) and San Francisco State ($47,367), but they're roughly on par with several CSU campuses. The $27,000 debt load sits above the state median of $18,786, though it's manageable relative to that first-year estimate.

The real story emerges by year four, when reported earnings jump to $93,097. This kind of trajectory is characteristic of allied health fields where graduates often start in entry-level clinical or administrative roles before advancing into specialized positions or management. That four-year figure substantially outpaces what most comparable programs produce, though without intermediate data points, it's hard to know if this reflects typical progression or selection effects (perhaps only the most successful graduates' earnings were captured).

The practical question is whether $27,000 in debt makes sense when your child's first year might involve living on $40,000 in expensive San Rafael. If they can manage that initial financial squeeze—living at home or finding roommates—and if they're entering a field with clear advancement pathways (respiratory therapy, health information management, clinical coordination), the mid-career outlook appears strong. But this decision hinges entirely on the specific allied health track, not just the broad degree category.