Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

With 85% of students receiving Pell grants, Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga primarily serves low-income students who need career programs to pay off quickly. Unfortunately, this Allied Health program ranks in the bottom 5% nationally for earnings—a significant warning sign. Graduates earn $37,084 in their first year, far below the national median of $54,327 for similar programs and well below Tennessee's state median of $46,736. Even within Tennessee, this program ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state produce better outcomes. For context, Chattanooga State Community College—also in Chattanooga—sees graduates earning $50,848, nearly $14,000 more annually.

The $27,386 in median debt might seem manageable in isolation, but it's 43% higher than the typical debt for this field and represents almost 75% of first-year earnings. With barely any earnings growth over four years, graduates face a prolonged repayment burden. The debt isn't catastrophic, but when paired with below-market earnings in a field that typically pays better, it creates a difficult financial situation.

**The bottom line:** If your child is interested in allied health in the Chattanooga area, the local community college offers substantially better outcomes at likely lower cost. This program serves a vulnerable population but doesn't deliver the earnings needed to justify even moderate debt loads.