Location: Abilene, TX•In-State Tuition: $31,686•Admission Rate: 97%•Avg SAT: 1064
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$72,789
Est. from TX median (7 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (71 programs)

Analysis

Drawing on outcomes from similar allied health programs across Texas, this bachelor's degree appears positioned right at the state median with estimated first-year earnings of $72,789. That's well above the national benchmark of $60,447, though it trails the top-tier UT health science centers that place graduates above $85,000. The estimated debt of $27,000 creates a manageable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning roughly four months of gross income to cover the full loan balance.

The challenge here is that without program-specific data, you're evaluating a university with a 97% admission rate against specialized health science centers with very different student profiles and clinical training networks. Allied health is an umbrella term covering everything from respiratory therapy to diagnostic medical sonography, and career trajectories vary dramatically depending on the specific concentration and clinical partnerships available. Texas's robust healthcare sector generally supports strong allied health employment, but Hardin-Simmons operates in a smaller market compared to the university medical centers dominating the top of the rankings.

If your student has already identified their specific allied health concentration and verified that Hardin-Simmons offers the necessary clinical rotations and certifications, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value. But given the wide variation in this field and the lack of school-specific outcomes, you'll want concrete answers about clinical placement sites, certification exam pass rates, and where recent graduates actually landed jobs before committing.

Where Hardin-Simmons University Stands

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

Hardin-Simmons University (estimated ±10%)Other allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (26 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Hardin-Simmons UniversityAbilene$31,686$72,789*—$27,000*—
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio—$87,264*$62,001$22,250*0.25
Southwest University at El PasoEl Paso$16,000$86,211*——*—
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston—$76,438*—$16,500*0.22
The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonGalveston—$72,789*—$24,250*0.33
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos$11,450$67,965*$65,513$26,500*0.39
National Median—$60,447*—$27,000*0.45
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Hardin-Simmons University, approximately 38% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.