Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Lincoln Memorial University

This program carries an estimated $27,000 in debt, which sits right at the national median for allied health bachelor's programs—but the earnings picture tells a more complicated story. Based on comparable programs across Tennessee, first-year earnings of roughly $48,700 would put this degree below the national median of $60,400 for allied health diagnostic and treatment fields. That's a significant gap, suggesting Tennessee's allied health market may compensate differently than other states, or that the mix of professions covered under this broad category skews toward lower-paying roles locally.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 is workable—you'd be looking at debt equal to about half of first-year income, which allows for manageable repayment in most cases. However, it's worth noting that peer programs in Tennessee span a wide range, from $43,700 to $57,600 in first-year earnings. Without knowing which specific allied health profession your student plans to pursue (this umbrella includes everything from surgical technologists to diagnostic medical sonographers), it's hard to assess whether Lincoln Memorial's program tilts toward the higher or lower end of that spectrum.

The practical takeaway: If your student has a specific allied health career in mind, verify what employers in that field actually pay in Tennessee versus the national market. The estimated $27,000 debt load won't sink them, but the earnings gap compared to national figures means career trajectory matters more here than at programs producing stronger Day One salaries.