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

Kirtland Community College graduates start strong in allied health, earning nearly $59,000 their first year—above both Michigan's median ($53,532) and the national benchmark ($54,327). At 60th percentile among Michigan programs, it's performing solidly within the state, though it doesn't quite reach the top tier of schools like Monroe County or Henry Ford College. The $17,500 in typical debt is actually lower than both state and national medians, creating a favorable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that students can realistically manage.

The concerning factor is the earnings trajectory: graduates see incomes drop to $51,105 by year four, a 13% decline that's unusual for healthcare fields. This pattern could reflect the types of positions graduates are securing—perhaps roles with limited advancement or high turnover—or it might indicate graduates moving between employers or changing specialties during these early career years. Given that 34% of students receive Pell grants, the relatively low debt burden matters significantly for working-class families who can't afford to subsidize years of career exploration.

For parents, the value here depends on stability: if your child plans to stay in their initial allied health role long-term, the strong first-year earnings justify the modest debt. But if they're using this as a stepping stone to other healthcare careers, that declining income trend becomes more problematic. The program works best for students who know exactly what allied health specialty they want and are ready to commit to it.