Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Great Falls College Montana State University

Montana's allied health programs cluster tightly around $54,500 in first-year earnings, and this program sits right in that pack. Similar programs nationally report nearly identical outcomes—$54,327 median—suggesting stable demand for these skills regardless of location. The consistency makes sense: allied health professionals like radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, and sonographers work in regulated fields with standardized training requirements.

The estimated $16,704 debt load deserves attention, though. That's roughly $4,400 below what comparable programs nationally typically carry and substantially lower than Montana's state median of $21,000 for this field. A 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means roughly 30 cents of debt for every dollar earned in the first year—a manageable starting point for repayment. Still, these figures are derived from peer programs since Great Falls College's graduate cohort is too small for the Department of Education to publish school-specific data.

For parents evaluating this investment, the economics appear sound based on what similar programs produce. Allied health careers often offer clear licensing pathways and steady employment, but you're working with estimated rather than verified outcomes here. Before committing, verify which specific credential this associate's degree leads to—a respiratory therapist faces different market conditions than a medical assistant—and confirm the program's actual job placement rates directly with the school.