Location: Valley Glen, CA•In-State Tuition: $1,238•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,130
Median Earnings (1yr)
$82,599
95th percentile
Est. Median Debt
$15,250
Est. from CA median (3 programs)
Sample: 21 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Los Angeles Valley College graduates with this certificate earn $82,599 in their first year—nearly double the national median of $45,746 and twice California's median of $41,066 for similar programs. That's exceptional performance for a community college certificate, placing graduates among the state's top earners in this field. While debt figures are estimated based on comparable California programs at around $15,250, even if actual borrowing runs higher, the earnings justify it: at a 0.18 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates could reasonably pay off their loans in under three months of gross earnings.

The program likely feeds into high-demand diagnostic roles—perhaps radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, or similar specialties—where California's healthcare market pays premium wages. Los Angeles Valley College sits just below elite performers like Crafton Hills and Loma Linda, but it's competing effectively despite being a public two-year institution serving a student body where 26% receive Pell grants.

The combination of strong earnings and manageable estimated debt makes this one of the more compelling certificate investments in California healthcare. Just verify which specific diagnostic specialty the program prepares students for, as outcomes can vary significantly within this broad category. The first-year earnings suggest graduates are entering well-compensated clinical roles immediately, not administrative positions.

Where Los Angeles Valley College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate's programs nationally

Los Angeles Valley College (estimated ±10%)Other allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Los Angeles Valley College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Los Angeles Valley College earns $83k — 95th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (112 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley Glen$1,238$82,599—$15,250*—
Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipa$1,188$117,351$76,522$23,000*0.20
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda—$90,583$99,255$25,000*0.28
Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USDConcord—$88,513——*—
Merced CollegeMerced$1,194$78,871—$11,150*0.14
Contra Costa Medical Career CollegeAntioch—$78,315——*—
National Median—$45,746—$14,167*0.31
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions graduates

Medical Dosimetrists

Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.

$138,110/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Physician Assistants

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Anesthesiologist Assistants

Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nuclear Technicians

Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiation Therapists

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

$101,990/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

$97,020/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

$89,340/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Respiratory Therapists

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

$80,450/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Los Angeles Valley College, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.