Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Hillsborough Community College

Hillsborough Community College's allied health program demonstrates solid return on investment, with graduates earning $62,961 just one year out—about $11,000 more than Florida's median for these programs and well above the national average. The $18,000 median debt is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under four months of gross earnings. For families concerned about community college affordability, this hits the sweet spot of reasonable debt with strong immediate earning power.

The program ranks in the 60th percentile among Florida's 52 allied health programs, placing it comfortably above the state's middle tier though not quite matching top performers like Seminole State or Broward College (both around $65,800). Still, HCC holds its own against respected programs at Miami Dade and St. Petersburg College. The 85th percentile national ranking is particularly impressive, suggesting this program outperforms most comparable associate degree programs across the country.

For Tampa-area students, especially the 42% receiving Pell grants, this represents a practical pathway to immediate career-level earnings without the burden of crushing debt. The allied health field's strong regional job market in Florida's medical corridor makes this a low-risk investment that should generate positive returns quickly.