Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Herzing University-Birmingham

Herzing's allied health program costs significantly more than comparable options in Alabama while delivering below-average outcomes. The $27,243 median debt is 52% higher than the state median for this field, yet graduates earn $43,769—about $2,300 less than the state average. Several Alabama community colleges produce graduates earning $8,000-$9,000 more annually with substantially less debt.

The earnings trajectory adds another concern: graduates actually see their pay decline by 4% from year one to year four, dropping to $42,163. This puts them in the 13th percentile nationally for the program—meaning 87% of similar programs across the country produce better earnings. While the 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, it means students are borrowing the equivalent of seven months' salary for outcomes that lag behind what nearby community colleges deliver at lower cost.

For families considering this program, the math is straightforward: Jefferson State or Lurleen B Wallace Community College offer $8,000-$9,000 higher earnings with likely lower tuition costs. Unless location or scheduling makes Herzing uniquely accessible, the state's community college system provides a clearer path to financial stability in this field.