Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Pikes Peak State College

Something doesn't add up here. Based on comparable allied health programs in Colorado, first-year graduates typically earn around $49,600—but this program's actual reported earnings four years out drop to $36,789. That backward trajectory is unusual and concerning, suggesting either that graduates struggle to advance in their careers or that the certificate itself doesn't lead to positions with typical allied health growth potential. With estimated debt of $13,500, you're looking at a manageable load, but only if those earnings improve rather than decline.

The comparison to other Colorado programs is stark. Red Rocks graduates earn more than double what this program's alumni report four years in, and even Colorado Mountain College's program—closer to the state median—significantly outperforms. That gap suggests either this certificate targets lower-paying allied health roles or that Pikes Peak's specific curriculum doesn't position graduates as competitively. The 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable on paper, but it's calculated against that estimated first-year figure, not the actual $36,789 being earned years later.

Before committing, your child needs to understand which specific allied health role this certificate prepares them for and why earnings would decline rather than grow. The debt is manageable, but only if there's a clear career pathway that reverses that downward trend. Without knowing what's driving those fourth-year numbers, this certificate represents a significant gamble.