Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Holy Family University

This certificate program carries an estimated $17,775 in debt—well below both the national median of $14,167 for allied health certificates and Pennsylvania's notably higher state median of $26,472. That's the good news. The challenge is that with estimated first-year earnings around $56,844 based on comparable Pennsylvania programs, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, which means roughly four months of pre-tax income to cover the education cost.

The estimated earnings figure places this program right at Pennsylvania's median for allied health certificates, though other programs in the state demonstrate the wide range of outcomes in this field—from Saint Joseph's Lancaster campus reporting nearly $64,000 to some programs dipping below $40,000. What's worth noting is that Holy Family's estimated debt burden is significantly lighter than what many Pennsylvania students in similar programs take on, which could matter considerably if the actual earnings come in on the lower end of that range.

For an anxious parent, the lean toward lower debt over potentially higher earnings might offer some reassurance, especially since these peer programs suggest a manageable financial picture. But remember: these are estimates from similar programs, not Holy Family's actual outcomes. Before committing, you'll want to understand which specific allied health pathway this certificate leads to—some diagnostic and treatment roles require additional credentials or have better employment prospects than others in the Philadelphia market.