Median Earnings (1yr)
$38,681
25th percentile
Median Debt
$9,989
29% below national median

Analysis

Pima Community College's allied health certificate leaves students trailing their Arizona peers by more than $9,000 annually—landing in the bottom quarter of both state and national rankings. When comparable programs at Phoenix College produce graduates earning $87,000 and even nearby Pima Medical Institute hits $57,000, these numbers demand explanation. The lower debt load ($10,000 versus $14,000 statewide) offers some consolation, but that's cold comfort when your earning power lags by 20% below the state median.

The modest earnings growth—just 4% over four years—suggests graduates aren't advancing into higher-paying specialties or roles. This matters because allied health encompasses everything from medical assistants to surgical technologists, with vastly different salary trajectories. Students here appear concentrated in the lower-paying end of this spectrum, potentially reflecting which specific certifications the program emphasizes or clinical placement relationships the college maintains.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means graduates can technically manage repayment, but they're doing so on a considerably tighter budget than peers at other Arizona community colleges. If your student is set on allied health at Pima, demand clarity on which specific certification tracks these outcomes represent—and whether higher-earning pathways exist within the program that might explain why some Arizona community colleges produce dramatically different results.

Where Pima Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Pima Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Pima Community College$38,681$40,241+4%
GateWay Community College$63,579$63,443-0%
GateWay Community College-Central City$63,579$63,443-0%
Phoenix College$87,436$50,725-42%
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson$57,266$48,330-16%

Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Pima Community CollegeTucson$2,370$38,681$40,241$9,9890.26
Phoenix CollegePhoenix$2,358$87,436$50,725$9,3540.11
GateWay Community CollegePhoenix$2,358$63,579$63,443$18,1250.29
GateWay Community College-Central CityPhoenix—$63,579$63,443$18,1250.29
Pima Medical Institute-TucsonTucson—$57,266$48,330$16,2420.28
Brookline College-PhoenixPhoenix—$49,694$48,268$19,0000.38
National Median—$45,746—$14,1670.31

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 Pima 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 64 graduates with reported earnings and 74 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.