Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at North Shore Community College
Associate's Degree
northshore.eduAnalysis
North Shore Community College graduates in allied health diagnostic programs start strong at nearly $63,000—well above the national median and ranking in the 85th percentile nationally. Here's the catch: those earnings barely budge over the next three years, while debt loads are slightly above Massachusetts' state median of $14,932. Among Massachusetts schools, this program sits squarely in the middle, trailing several comparable community colleges where graduates earn $4,000-$12,000 more annually.
The debt picture is manageable—borrowers owe less than one-third of their first-year earnings—but the flat earnings trajectory raises questions. Most allied health careers see wage growth as professionals gain credentials or specialize, yet North Shore grads show essentially zero movement between years one and four. This could reflect the specific allied health fields students enter (some diagnostic roles have narrow pay bands) or limited advancement opportunities for associate degree holders in this region.
For Massachusetts families, this program delivers solid immediate returns but lags behind peer institutions in the state. If your student can access programs at Bunker Hill or Quinsigamond, those offer significantly higher earnings potential. If North Shore is the most accessible option, the low debt and strong starting salary still make this a reasonable choice—just understand that career growth will likely require additional training or credentials down the line.
Where North Shore Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How North Shore Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Shore Community College | $62,934 | $63,007 | +0% |
| Bunker Hill Community College | $75,659 | $68,095 | -10% |
| Northern Essex Community College | $67,610 | $65,953 | -2% |
| Quinsigamond Community College | $69,051 | $65,790 | -5% |
| Springfield Technical Community College | $64,346 | $64,462 | +0% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5,352 | $62,934 | $63,007 | $18,833 | 0.30 | |
| $5,520 | $75,659 | $68,095 | $19,500 | 0.26 | |
| $5,974 | $69,051 | $65,790 | $22,814 | 0.33 | |
| $5,688 | $67,610 | $65,953 | $14,697 | 0.22 | |
| $5,520 | $64,346 | $64,462 | $15,166 | 0.24 | |
| $6,048 | $63,037 | $61,962 | $13,971 | 0.22 | |
| National Median | — | $54,327 | — | $19,113 | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions graduates
Medical Dosimetrists
Physician Assistants
Anesthesiologist Assistants
Nuclear Technicians
Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
Radiation Therapists
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Respiratory Therapists
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists
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 North Shore Community College, approximately 33% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 50 graduates with reported earnings and 41 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.