Location: Sheldon, IA•In-State Tuition: $7,110•Out-of-State Tuition: $7,410
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$51,460
Est. from IA median (10 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,943
Est. from IA median (3 programs)

Analysis

Iowa's allied health programs show considerable variation in outcomes, with top performers like Southeastern Community College producing graduates earning over $60,000 while others cluster closer to $51,000. Northwest Iowa Community College's figures—based on state medians since the graduate cohort here is too small to report—put estimated first-year earnings around $51,460 with debt near $18,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 suggests manageable monthly payments, though the earnings estimate sits at the lower end of what Iowa allied health graduates typically achieve.

The challenge with these estimates is that allied health programs prepare students for specific licensed roles—respiratory therapy, radiologic technology, surgical technology—each with distinct salary trajectories. The $9,000 gap between schools like Southeastern and the state median isn't trivial when stretched across several years of loan repayment. Without knowing which specific concentration Northwest Iowa offers or the actual outcomes of its graduates, you're working with approximations that may or may not reflect this program's true performance.

If your child is set on Northwest Iowa for location or cost reasons, contact the program directly to ask about their specific concentration, recent graduate employment rates, and first-time licensing exam pass rates. Those metrics matter more than broad estimates. Otherwise, the reported outcomes from Des Moines Area or Kirkwood offer clearer evidence of what your investment will likely yield.

Where Northwest Iowa Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions associates's programs nationally

Northwest Iowa Community College (estimated ±10%)Other allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (16 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Northwest Iowa Community CollegeSheldon$7,110$51,460*—$17,943*—
Southeastern Community CollegeWest Burlington$6,300$60,712*$50,147—*—
Des Moines Area Community CollegeAnkeny$5,550$56,681*——*—
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo$6,308$55,987*——*—
Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines$17,328$55,912*$56,114$31,000*0.55
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids$5,980$52,364*$48,255$21,945*0.42
National Median—$54,327*—$19,113*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions graduates

Medical Dosimetrists

Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.

$138,110/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Physician Assistants

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Anesthesiologist Assistants

Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nuclear Technicians

Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiation Therapists

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

$101,990/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

$97,020/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

$89,340/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Respiratory Therapists

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

$80,450/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
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 Northwest Iowa Community College, approximately 15% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 10 similar programs in IA. Actual outcomes may vary.