Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Iowa Central Community College

Iowa Central's allied health program shows an unusual earnings pattern that deserves scrutiny, though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual circumstances could be skewing these numbers significantly. Graduates start at $50,501—roughly $4,000 below the Iowa median—then see earnings drop 18% by year four to $41,507. This backward trajectory is uncommon in healthcare fields and suggests graduates may be working part-time, changing careers, or facing limited local opportunities in Fort Dodge. Among Iowa's 16 allied health programs, this one ranks in the 40th percentile, trailing stronger options at Southeastern Community College ($60,712) and Des Moines Area by substantial margins.

The manageable debt load of $15,186 provides some cushion, coming in well below both state and national medians. That 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio based on first-year income looks reasonable on paper. However, the declining earnings trajectory means graduates who continue in this field may find themselves earning less than $42,000 annually—making even moderate debt harder to manage over time.

With such a small graduate cohort, it's difficult to draw firm conclusions. The data could reflect a few graduates pursuing additional education or taking temporary positions rather than a systemic program weakness. Parents should investigate placement rates, typical employers, and whether graduates actually stay in allied health roles long-term before committing, especially when several Iowa community colleges show more stable earnings patterns.