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

The $8,350 debt load here is exceptional—less than half Michigan's median for this program and among the lowest 5% nationally. Combined with strong first-year earnings of $57,326, graduates start their careers in a remarkably solid financial position. Among Michigan's 31 allied health programs, Macomb ranks in the 60th percentile, performing slightly better than the state median despite charging dramatically less in borrowed costs.

The significant concern is what happens next: earnings drop 19% to $46,270 by year four. This pattern could reflect several dynamics—perhaps graduates are initially placed in higher-paying clinical settings before transitioning to different roles, or early overtime opportunities taper off. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers represent real outcomes, not statistical noise.

For Michigan families, particularly those relying on Pell grants (33% of students here), the minimal debt makes this program relatively low-risk even with the earnings decline. Starting salaries beat the national and state medians, and graduates avoid the $20,000+ debt burdens typical elsewhere. The key question is whether your child's specific career path within allied health—whether it's surgical technology, respiratory therapy, or another specialty—typically shows this earnings trajectory, or if local employment patterns are driving the drop.