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

Lakeland Community College's allied health diagnostic certificate punches significantly above its weight in Ohio—ranking in the 80th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $57,389, compared to the Ohio median of just $42,445. That's a $15,000 premium over the typical program in the state, and it also beats the national median by nearly $12,000. The debt load of $19,225 is higher than both state and national medians, but with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33, graduates could theoretically pay this off in about four months of gross earnings—a manageable burden given the immediate earning power.

The major caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary considerably from this median. Still, the pattern is encouraging for Ohio residents seeking allied health training close to home. While programs at Mid-East Career and Technical Center and Pickaway Ross show even stronger earnings, Lakeland's combination of above-average outcomes and community college accessibility makes it a solid regional option.

For parents evaluating this certificate, the key question is whether their student can replicate these results. If they're committed to the allied health field and can complete the program efficiently, the numbers suggest a strong return on a modest investment—but verify current placement rates and talk to recent graduates given the small sample size.