Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Foothill College

Foothill College's allied health program punches well above its weight class, producing graduates who earn nearly double the national median for this degree and matching outcomes from the state's top-performing programs. At $107,000 in first-year earnings, these graduates out-earn typical allied health associate's degree holders by a factor of two—exceptional performance that lands this program in the 95th percentile both nationally and within California's competitive healthcare education landscape.

The financial picture is particularly compelling. With just $12,000 in median debt and a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.11, graduates can realistically pay off their loans within a few months of starting work. While the debt figure sits at the 85th percentile nationally (meaning some programs carry even less debt), the low absolute amount combined with such strong earnings makes this distinction less meaningful in practice. Plus, earnings continue climbing to $133,485 by year four—a 25% increase that suggests genuine career momentum rather than a credential with limited growth potential.

One consideration: this program primarily serves students from higher-income families (just 8% receive Pell grants), which may indicate selective admissions or prerequisites that could affect your child's chances of acceptance. For families who can navigate the entry requirements, though, this represents one of California's best values in allied health training—strong immediate earnings, manageable debt, and a clear upward trajectory.