Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at North-West College-Long Beach

North-West College-Long Beach graduates earn less than their California community college counterparts while carrying comparable debt loads. At $38,666 in year-one earnings, graduates fall below both the state median ($41,066) and land in just the 40th percentile among California's 112 Allied Health programs. The real concern isn't the starting salary—it's the trajectory. Earnings actually decline to $37,214 by year four, a pattern that runs counter to what you'd expect as healthcare workers gain experience and credentials.

The debt picture offers one bright spot: at $20,000, it's significantly below the national median and roughly matches California averages, keeping the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.52. Still, that moderate debt burden matters more when earnings stagnate rather than grow. The gap between this program and top California performers is stark—community colleges like Los Angeles Valley and Merced are producing graduates who earn more than double, often with less debt.

For families already considering this program, the 60% Pell Grant rate suggests it serves students with limited options. But the earnings data indicates that other California Allied Health programs—particularly at community colleges—deliver substantially better outcomes at similar or lower costs. If your child has access to alternative programs, the numbers suggest exploring those first.