Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Henry Ford College

Henry Ford College graduates start strong, earning nearly $59,000 in their first year—well above Michigan's median of $53,500 for this field and landing in the 60th percentile statewide. The debt load of $20,800 is manageable at just 35% of first-year income, meaning graduates can realistically tackle their loans while building their careers. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves as an effective pathway for working-class students entering healthcare.

The complication emerges in the earnings trajectory. By year four, median income drops to $52,100—an 11% decline that bucks the typical career progression pattern. This could reflect graduates starting in higher-paying hospital positions before transitioning to different roles, or potentially the varying career paths within allied health (some specialties plateau faster than others). While the earnings dip is notable, year-four income still slightly edges out Michigan's overall median for the program.

For parents, this program represents a solid entry point into healthcare with reasonable debt and strong initial earnings. The key is understanding that these aren't physician assistant or nursing salaries—they're diagnostic and treatment support roles. If your student wants quick entry to healthcare with manageable debt and immediate earning power, this works. Just don't expect steady income growth in those first years.