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

Meridian Community College's allied health program sits right at Mississippi's middle tier, earning around $43,800 in the first year—slightly below the state median of $45,000 but about $10,000 under the national benchmark. At the 40th percentile statewide, it falls behind Hinds Community College ($56,165) and several other Mississippi programs that deliver significantly stronger outcomes. If your student can secure admission to one of those higher-performing schools in-state, the $10,000+ annual difference could be substantial over a career.

The program's strongest feature is its remarkably low debt load of $8,625, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.20—one of the better borrowing situations you'll find among community college health programs. That manageable debt means graduates can focus on building careers rather than servicing loans. However, the flat earnings trajectory (actually declining slightly from year one to year four) suggests limited advancement opportunities in the roles these graduates typically enter.

For a family evaluating options: This program offers a safe, affordable entry into healthcare work, but doesn't position graduates for the stronger-paying allied health positions available to graduates of Mississippi's top community college programs. If admission to Hinds or Pearl River is possible, those programs deliver substantially better financial outcomes. Otherwise, the low debt makes this a reasonable fallback, particularly for students prioritizing quick workforce entry over maximum earning potential.