2026 ROI Award Winner
Median Earnings (1yr)
$62,663
84th percentile
60th percentile in Colorado
Median Debt
$13,600
29% below national median

Analysis

Red Rocks graduates are bringing home $62,663 within a year of earning their associate degreeβ€”$8,000 more than the national median and $5,000 above Colorado's median for this field. That places this program in the 84th percentile nationally, delivering outcomes comparable to Pima Medical Institute-Denver, the state's top performer. With debt at just $13,600 (nearly half the state median of $22,896), graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22β€”manageable enough to pay off in months rather than years.

The main consideration is that earnings plateau rather than grow, dipping slightly to $61,848 by year four. This isn't unusual in diagnostic and treatment professions where entry-level salaries are strong but advancement often requires additional credentials. Still, starting at over $60,000 with minimal debt gives graduates breathing room to pursue further certifications or simply enjoy financial stability earlier than most college grads.

For Colorado families, this program delivers measurably better value than most in-state alternatives. The combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt makes Red Rocks a smart choice for students ready to enter healthcare quickly without the burden of substantial loans.

Where Red Rocks Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Red Rocks 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
Red Rocks Community College$62,663$61,848-1%
Pima Medical Institute-Denver$62,420$65,163+4%
Community College of Denver$57,873$61,769+7%
Concorde Career College-Aurora$57,831$56,149-3%
Pueblo Community College$48,715$53,891+11%

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (18 total in state)

Scroll to see more β†’

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Red Rocks Community CollegeLakewood$4,707$62,663$61,848$13,6000.22
Pima Medical Institute-DenverDenverβ€”$62,420$65,163$30,1600.48
Front Range Community CollegeWestminster$4,740$58,164β€”$21,4160.37
Community College of DenverDenver$4,902$57,873$61,769$24,3750.42
Concorde Career College-AuroraAuroraβ€”$57,831$56,149$25,5300.44
Pima Medical Institute-AuroraAuroraβ€”$56,805β€”$30,5300.54
National Medianβ€”$54,327β€”$19,1130.35

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 Red Rocks Community College, approximately 19% 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 42 graduates with reported earnings and 43 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.