Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Northland Community and Technical College

Northland Community and Technical College graduates start near $51,000—decent money right out of the gate—but that's where the good news ends. Within four years, earnings actually drop 8% to under $47,000, while Minnesota's median for this program is nearly $59,000. That $12,000 annual gap compounds year after year, and when you look at the state's top performers (Century College grads earn over $65,000), it becomes clear this program isn't preparing students for the higher-paying positions in the field.

The debt load tells a different story: at $29,000, it's higher than both the national and state medians, though the 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable in absolute terms. Still, you're paying above-average debt for below-average outcomes. The earnings decline suggests graduates may be entering lower-tier roles or facilities with limited advancement opportunities, rather than the more dynamic healthcare settings where allied health professionals typically see income growth.

For Minnesota families, this program ranks in the 40th percentile statewide—essentially the bottom half of options. Unless geographic constraints make Thief River Falls the only viable choice, look at the state's stronger programs. The moderately sized sample indicates these results are reasonably reliable, and the pattern is consistent: solid starting point, disappointing trajectory.