Location: Park Hills, MO•In-State Tuition: $5,180•Out-of-State Tuition: $8,090
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,816
Est. from MO median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$10,250
Est. from MO median (4 programs)

Analysis

This program's estimated debt burden of around $10,250 looks manageable against first-year earnings of roughly $42,000—a debt-to-earnings ratio that sits comfortably in reasonable territory. The challenge is context: these figures come from comparable Missouri allied health certificate programs, not Mineral Area College's specific outcomes, and the spread among peer programs in the state is wide. Saint Louis Community College's graduates reportedly earn $52,000 while Three Rivers College shows just $27,000, suggesting that program quality and local employer connections matter enormously in this field.

The estimated debt here falls about $4,000 below the national median for allied health certificates, while earnings track slightly below the national benchmark of $46,000. For a certificate program, that's not alarming—these credentials are designed for quick entry into the workforce, not maximum earning power. The real question is where Mineral Area College actually falls within Missouri's range of outcomes, and without school-specific data, that's impossible to answer definitively.

Given the uncertainty, parents should treat this as a reasonable bet rather than a sure thing. The underlying economics of short-term allied health training generally work—low debt, quick entry to stable employment—but you're relying on estimates drawn from programs that vary by tens of thousands of dollars in graduate earnings. Contact the program directly about job placement rates and where their specific graduates work, because those details will tell you far more than these statewide averages can.

Where Mineral Area College Stands

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

Mineral Area College (estimated ±10%)Other allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Mineral Area CollegePark Hills$5,180$41,816*—$10,250*—
Saint Louis Community CollegeBridgeton$3,660$51,903*$44,982$11,000*0.21
Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSpringfield$4,184$45,344*$41,352$20,991*0.46
Southern Missouri Technical InstituteWest Plains—$41,816*——*—
Franklin Technology Center Adult EducationJoplin—$36,736*—$9,500*0.26
Three Rivers CollegePoplar Bluff$4,860$27,022*—$7,837*0.29
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 Mineral Area College, approximately 31% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in MO. Actual outcomes may vary.