Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Rochester Institute of Technology

RIT's allied health certificate produces impressive national earnings—$65,028 puts graduates in the 89th percentile across all similar programs—but dig deeper and the picture becomes more complicated. Within New York, these earnings fall to just the 40th percentile, meaning the majority of similar state programs deliver better results. Even more striking, graduates carry $35,250 in debt for a certificate program, which is 74% higher than the NY median and more than double the national average. With only a small cohort graduating annually, these numbers may not be stable or representative.

The debt burden here is unusually heavy for what should be a relatively quick credential. While the 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, context matters: nearby Hudson Valley Community College produces similar earnings with half the debt, and several other NY programs break $70,000 in starting salary. For a certificate that's meant to be an affordable entry point into healthcare, borrowing $35,250 raises questions about whether the return justifies the cost.

If your child is comparing NY options, focus on in-state alternatives that deliver comparable or better earnings with less debt exposure. The strong national ranking reflects more on weak programs elsewhere than on exceptional performance here. Given the small sample size and middling state performance, this certificate doesn't offer the value proposition that RIT's reputation might suggest.