Location: Winter Haven, FL•In-State Tuition: $3,366•Out-of-State Tuition: $12,272
Median Earnings (1yr)
$60,894
81st percentile
80th percentile in Florida
Median Debt
$11,000
22% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.18 ManageableSample: 35 graduates

Analysis

Polk State College's diagnostic allied health certificate punches well above its weight in Florida's crowded healthcare training market. With graduates earning $60,894 just one year out, this program ranks in the 80th percentile among the state's 69 competing programs—a meaningful gap above the state median of $45,024. That's solid earning power that most similar programs in Florida simply don't deliver.

The $11,000 debt load translates to a 0.18 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates earn back their entire investment in roughly two months of work. While debt sits slightly above Florida's median for these programs, the earnings premium more than compensates. One notable consideration: graduates at the very top programs like Seminole State earn about $4,000 less, suggesting Polk State has carved out a particularly strong position in the market.

For families considering healthcare certificate programs in central Florida, this represents a clear return on investment. The one-third of students receiving Pell grants indicates this pathway serves students across income levels, and the earnings data shows it delivers regardless of background. The combination of low debt and top-quintile earnings makes this one of the stronger allied health training options in the state.

Where Polk State College Stands

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

Polk State CollegeOther allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Polk State College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Polk State College earns $61k — 81th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in Florida (69 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Polk State CollegeWinter Haven$3,366$60,894—$11,0000.18
Seminole State College of FloridaSanford$3,227$57,049———
Florida Gateway CollegeLake City$3,100$54,209$48,007$5,6250.10
Northwest Florida State CollegeNiceville$3,246$52,939———
American Medical AcademyMiami—$52,092$64,877$11,1680.21
Manatee Technical CollegeBradenton—$49,921—$10,4370.21
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 Polk State 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 35 graduates with reported earnings and 20 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.