Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Grand Rapids Community College

This program's first-year earnings of $46,280 trail both the state median ($53,532) and national median ($54,327) by meaningful margins—roughly $7,000 to $8,000 less than what graduates of peer programs typically earn. The estimated debt of $20,828, based on similar Michigan programs, produces a manageable 0.45 ratio to first-year earnings, but that ratio only looks reasonable because it's measured against below-average starting pay. By year four, earnings climb to $54,145, showing solid 17% growth, though this still leaves graduates chasing the starting salaries that top Michigan programs deliver immediately after graduation.

The gap matters when you consider alternatives: Monroe County Community College graduates start at $63,378, while Henry Ford and Kirtland both exceed $58,000. That's $12,000 to $17,000 more in first-year earnings for what's ultimately the same credential. If your child is set on this field, it's worth understanding why Grand Rapids Community College's outcomes lag behind—whether it's the specific concentration within allied health, regional employer demand, or program structure differences that explain the disparity. The debt load appears manageable, but only if the lower earning trajectory fits your family's financial planning.