Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Laredo College

In Texas, allied health programs at community colleges typically produce first-year earnings between $55,000 and $78,000, making Laredo College's $46,701 figure notably lower than what comparable programs deliver. The school sits near the bottom of the state's 65 programs in this field, with nearby South Texas College graduates earning nearly 50% more right out of the gate. While debt appears manageable at an estimated $13,519 based on peer Texas programs—well below both state and national typical borrowing for this credential—that advantage gets overshadowed by the earning power gap.

The 26% earnings growth to $58,992 by year four helps close some distance with state peers, but starting behind means playing catch-up when those early years matter most for establishing financial footing. For a program serving 38% Pell-eligible students, that delayed earning potential has real consequences. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 looks reasonable on paper, yet the absolute earning levels lag what's achievable at other Texas community colleges in the same field.

If your child has been admitted to Laredo College for allied health, compare the specific career track they're pursuing against what nearby South Texas College or Houston Community College offer in the same specialization. The geographical constraint may be real, but the earnings gap is large enough that relocating for school could pay off within a year or two of graduation.