Median Earnings (1yr)
$43,781
13th percentile
40th percentile in Iowa
Est. Median Debt
$17,943
Est. from IA median (3 programs)

Analysis

In Iowa's crowded allied health training landscape, Indian Hills graduates earn roughly $8,000 less in their first year than peers at top-performing community colleges like Southeastern or Des Moines Area. First-year earnings of $43,781β€”based on actual graduate outcomesβ€”place this program in the bottom quarter nationally for allied health associate's degrees, though it sits near the middle among Iowa programs.

The estimated debt load of around $18,000 creates a manageable 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe less than half their first-year salary. That's a workable starting point for most healthcare careers. However, earnings growth tells a sobering story: graduates see only a 6% increase over four years, reaching $46,396β€”far below what similar programs typically deliver. Allied health fields often reward experience and specialization with meaningful salary jumps, so this minimal growth suggests either program placement in lower-paying positions or limited advancement opportunities.

For parents weighing options, the moderate debt estimate offers some reassurance, but the earnings gap matters in healthcare where income directly affects career sustainability. If your child is considering this program, compare job placement specifics against schools like Kirkwood or Hawkeye, where graduates earn $8,000-$12,000 more from day one. That difference compounds quickly in a field where early earnings set the trajectory for career growth and financial stability.

Where Indian Hills Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Indian Hills Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Indian Hills Community College$43,781$46,396+6%
Mercy College of Health Sciences$55,912$56,114+0%
Southeastern Community College$60,712$50,147-17%
Eastern Iowa Community College District$42,927$48,521+13%
Kirkwood Community College$52,364$48,255-8%

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (16 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa$4,872$43,781$46,396$17,943*β€”
Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington$6,300$60,712$50,147β€”*β€”
Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny$5,550$56,681β€”β€”*β€”
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo$6,308$55,987β€”β€”*β€”
Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines$17,328$55,912$56,114$31,000*0.55
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids$5,980$52,364$48,255$21,945*0.42
National Medianβ€”$54,327β€”$19,113*0.35
* 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 Indian Hills Community College, approximately 22% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.