Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Platt College-Riverside

The first-year earnings of $25,713 are startlingly low—landing in just the 10th percentile among California's 109 allied health programs and far below the state median of $62,420. While earnings do jump dramatically to $51,123 by year four (a 99% increase), graduates still lag significantly behind what they'd likely earn at community college alternatives. California's community colleges produce allied health grads earning $80,000-$107,000, with comparable or lower debt loads. Even accounting for the modest $16,114 debt burden here, the opportunity cost of those lost early earnings is substantial.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift considerably with more data, but the pattern is concerning enough to warrant serious questions. Seventy percent of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from families where financial margin for error is limited. That first year earning barely above minimum wage—while carrying $16,000 in debt—could force some graduates into additional jobs or delayed career progress.

Before committing, I'd want to understand why early earnings lag so dramatically and whether Platt's program leads to different certifications or job placements than the community college alternatives. The tuition difference alone could be significant, and California's public colleges offer a substantially stronger earnings track record in this field.