Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Rush University

Rush University's allied health graduates enter the field earning $75,200—well above both the national median ($60,447) and Illinois median ($69,021)—but they're paying a premium for that advantage. At $35,578, their debt load exceeds the typical Illinois program by nearly $10,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates owe roughly five and a half months of their first-year salary, which is manageable but notably higher than many peers who start with less debt and similar outcomes.

The program's real story emerges in how it compares within Illinois. While Rush ranks in the 82nd percentile nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile among Illinois programs—solidly above average but not dominant in its home state. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale graduates, for instance, match the state median earnings with $9,500 less debt. The 12% earnings growth to $84,323 by year four is steady but unremarkable for healthcare fields.

For families who can absorb the higher debt without strain, Rush delivers strong earning potential and the advantages of studying at a specialized health sciences university in Chicago. But if minimizing debt is the priority, this program doesn't offer enough of an earnings edge over less expensive Illinois alternatives to justify the premium. The calculation hinges on whether your family values Rush's specialized environment and clinical network enough to accept moderate additional borrowing.