Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Red Rocks Community College

Red Rocks graduates start with exceptional earnings—$104,021 in year one ranks in the 95th percentile both nationally and among Colorado's 19 programs offering this credential. That's more than double the national median and puts you ahead of nearly every comparable community college program in the state. The debt load of $22,170, while higher than Colorado's typical $13,500 for this credential, becomes manageable with a first-year debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21. You're essentially borrowing two months of salary.

The significant concern is the earnings trajectory. Four years out, median pay drops to $85,378—an 18% decline that suggests graduates may be entering specialized roles (perhaps traveling positions or temporary contracts) that don't sustain over time. However, even with this decline, you're still earning well above the state median of $49,646 and substantially more than graduates from most peer institutions.

The premium price makes sense if your child is targeting high-paying allied health specialties like surgical technology or respiratory therapy, where Red Rocks appears to have strong industry connections. Just understand that maintaining those peak earnings may require navigating the same career strategies—specialty certifications, shift differentials, or contract work—that the early graduates likely used.