Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Pima Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
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
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Pima Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Pima Community College graduates earn $39k, placing them in the 25th percentile of all allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
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)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Community College | $38,681 | $40,241 | $9,989 | 0.26 |
| Phoenix College | $87,436 | $50,725 | $9,354 | 0.11 |
| GateWay Community College | $63,579 | $63,443 | $18,125 | 0.29 |
| GateWay Community College-Central City | $63,579 | $63,443 | $18,125 | 0.29 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson | $57,266 | $48,330 | $16,242 | 0.28 |
| Brookline College-Phoenix | $49,694 | $48,268 | $19,000 | 0.38 |
| National Median | $45,746 | — | $14,167 | 0.31 |
Other Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Programs in Arizona
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Arizona schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix College Phoenix | $2,358 | $87,436 | $9,354 |
| GateWay Community College Phoenix | $2,358 | $63,579 | $18,125 |
| GateWay Community College-Central City Phoenix | — | $63,579 | $18,125 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Tucson Tucson | — | $57,266 | $16,242 |
| Brookline College-Phoenix Phoenix | — | $49,694 | $19,000 |
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.