Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Montclair State University

Montclair State's allied health program graduates earn just $36,299 in their first year—barely 60% of what typical graduates make from similar programs nationally, and significantly below even New Jersey's state median of $55,227. Among the 15 New Jersey schools offering this degree, Montclair ranks in just the 10th percentile for earnings, meaning nine out of ten comparable programs in the state produce better-paid graduates. For context, Rutgers grads in this field earn nearly double at $72,259.

The $27,000 in debt sits right at national averages, which might sound reasonable until you consider the unusually low earnings. That creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.74—workable, but only because starting salaries in allied health professions are generally modest. The real concern is opportunity cost: students at other New Jersey schools in this same field are entering the workforce with substantially higher earning potential.

Important caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary considerably. But with a pattern this pronounced—ranking in the bottom tenth statewide—parents should seriously question whether Montclair offers the right preparation for allied health careers. If staying in New Jersey is important, Rutgers or even Eastwick College appear to position graduates far more competitively. At minimum, investigate what's causing such a dramatic earnings gap compared to other state programs.