Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Mt Hood Community College

Mt. Hood Community College graduates from this allied health program earn roughly $61,000 within their first year—a figure that outpaces the national median by more than $6,000 and lands them in the 78th percentile nationally. The debt burden of $21,431 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.35. For context, that means a graduate could realistically pay off their loans in under two years if they devoted half their income to debt service. These are strong fundamentals for an associate degree program.

The challenge lies in Oregon's competitive allied health landscape. While Mt. Hood performs well nationally, it sits at the 40th percentile within the state, with schools like Chemeketa and Central Oregon producing graduates earning $15,000 more annually. The virtually flat earnings trajectory—just a 2% increase over four years—suggests this program may lead to roles with limited advancement opportunities compared to the state's top performers. Oregon's median for this program is $60,921, which Mt. Hood essentially matches rather than exceeds.

For a family focused on quick workforce entry and manageable debt, this program delivers. The earnings are solid from day one, and the debt won't become a burden. However, if your student has options at Chemeketa or Central Oregon, those programs offer significantly higher earning potential that could mean thousands more annually throughout a career.