Location: Sacramento, CA•Admission Rate: 77%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$65,888
90th percentile
95th percentile in California
Median Debt
$24,100
70% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.37 ManageableSample: 33 graduates

Analysis

Sacramento Ultrasound Institute charges above-average tuition for its allied health certificate, but the results justify the investment. Graduates earn $65,888 their first year—60% above California's median for similar programs and 44% above the national average. More importantly, this places graduates in the 95th percentile statewide, meaning they're outearning peers at nearly all other California certificate programs in this field. The $24,100 debt load is higher than typical for certificate programs, but represents just 4.4 months of first-year salary—a manageable tradeoff given the earnings premium.

The program's specialized focus on ultrasound technology explains both the higher cost and stronger outcomes. While it can't match the exceptional earnings at California community colleges like Crafton Hills or Merced (where students likely enter with prior healthcare experience), it significantly outperforms most alternatives. California's allied health certificate landscape is crowded with 112 programs, many producing graduates who earn in the low $40,000s, so this institute's ability to consistently place students near the top tier matters.

For parents willing to invest $24,000 in their child's nine-month to one-year training, this program delivers clear returns. The debt burden stays light enough to pay down quickly, and graduates enter a field with immediate earning power that rivals many four-year degrees.

Where Sacramento Ultrasound Institute Stands

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

Sacramento Ultrasound InstituteOther allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Sacramento Ultrasound Institute graduates compare to all programs nationally

Sacramento Ultrasound Institute earns $66k — 90th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (112 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Sacramento Ultrasound InstituteSacramento—$65,888—$24,1000.37
Crafton Hills CollegeYucaipa$1,188$117,351$76,522$23,0000.20
Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda—$90,583$99,255$25,0000.28
Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USDConcord—$88,513———
Los Angeles Valley CollegeValley Glen$1,238$82,599———
Merced CollegeMerced$1,194$78,871—$11,1500.14
National Median—$45,746—$14,1670.31

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 Sacramento Ultrasound Institute, approximately 27% 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 33 graduates with reported earnings and 35 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.