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

At an estimated $12,262 in debt—lower than both the state and national medians for allied health programs—Richland's graduates face a manageable financial burden. That's the good news. The concerning part is what they're earning: $46,542 in the first year, which falls well below the state median of $53,897 and ranks in just the 21st percentile nationally. Similar programs across Illinois typically produce earnings in the low-to-mid $50,000s, with top community college programs reaching beyond $62,000. Richland's outcomes lag this performance by roughly $7,000-$16,000 annually.

The modest debt keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio reasonable at 0.26, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about three months of gross income. But the flat earnings trajectory—actually declining slightly from year one to year four—suggests limited advancement opportunities or perhaps program completers working in lower-paying roles within the allied health field. Peer programs in Illinois generally show either stability or growth during this period.

For parents evaluating this investment, the question isn't whether their child can afford the debt—they likely can—but whether Richland's program positions them as competitively as alternatives within an hour's drive. The earnings gap between this program and stronger performers in the Chicago area is substantial and persistent. If location flexibility exists, programs like Harper or College of DuPage demonstrate what's achievable in this field at the associate level.