Location: Johnson City, TN•In-State Tuition: $9,950•Out-of-State Tuition: $13,790•Admission Rate: 87%•Avg SAT: 1114
Median Earnings (1yr)
$48,671
27th percentile
60th percentile in Tennessee
Median Debt
$24,568
9% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.50 ManageableSample: 78 graduates

Analysis

East Tennessee State's allied health program lands right at Tennessee's median for graduate earnings, which tells you something important: this is a competitive field where the school you attend matters significantly. While $48,671 might sound reasonable for a first job, it trails the national median by nearly $12,000—a gap that won't feel minor when loan payments start.

The debt load of $24,568 is actually slightly better than both state and national averages, resulting in a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio. Your child would need about half a year's salary to cover their loans, which is workable. However, the real concern is that ETSU graduates are starting $9,000 behind peers from Baptist Health Sciences University in Tennessee, despite similar debt burdens. That earnings gap compounds over a career.

For Tennessee families, this program offers an accessible entry point into healthcare—especially given the 87% admission rate and relatively lower debt. But if your child can gain admission to Baptist Health Sciences or Tennessee State (which offers similar starting salaries at comparable debt levels), the additional career momentum might be worth exploring. The program works for students who need to stay local or prioritize admission certainty, but it's not positioning graduates at the higher end of their field's earning potential.

Where East Tennessee State University Stands

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

East Tennessee State UniversityOther allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How East Tennessee State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

East Tennessee State University earns $49k — 27th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City$9,950$48,671—$24,5680.50
Baptist Health Sciences UniversityMemphis$13,846$57,633$56,046$31,1760.54
Tennessee State UniversityNashville$8,568$48,894$52,705——
Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville$8,675$47,809—$25,5000.53
South CollegeKnoxville$17,935$43,775———
National Median—$60,447—$27,0000.45

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 East Tennessee State University, approximately 35% 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 78 graduates with reported earnings and 72 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.