Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Pueblo Community College

Pueblo Community College's allied health program produces graduates earning roughly $10,000 less than their counterparts at other Colorado community colleges—a significant gap that places this program in the bottom quarter statewide. First-year earnings of $48,715 trail the state median by $9,000, and even after four years, graduates still earn $4,000 less than the typical first-year earnings at comparable Colorado programs like Front Range or Community College of Denver.

The debt load itself isn't problematic at $20,750, particularly given the 11% earnings growth trajectory. That's a manageable amount relative to early-career income. The real concern is opportunity cost: students could attend Red Rocks or Front Range Community College and likely earn $10,000-14,000 more annually right out of the gate, which compounds substantially over a career. For families considering this program, the question isn't whether graduates can service their debt—they can—but whether Pueblo's outcomes justify choosing it over stronger-performing programs elsewhere in Colorado.

If location ties you to Pueblo or circumstances limit your options, graduates do see steady income growth and reasonable debt burdens. But if you have flexibility in where you attend, other Colorado community colleges deliver measurably better returns in this field without requiring more time or substantially different debt levels.