Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Santa Fe Community College

Santa Fe Community College's allied health certificate delivers earnings 17% above the national median for these programs, ranking in the 66th percentile nationwide. More relevant for New Mexico students: at $53,695 in first-year earnings, this matches the state median for these credentials, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's 14 programs. The $9,813 in typical debt—about $800 per month over a standard repayment term—means graduates earn back their investment in just over two months of work.

The debt picture deserves attention, though. While the absolute amount is manageable, this program sits in the 80th percentile for debt nationally, meaning only 20% of similar programs carry higher debt loads. Still, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 remains well below the concerning 1.0 threshold, and students are entering a field with consistent demand in healthcare-focused New Mexico.

For families weighing options, this certificate offers a practical entry point into allied health work without the time and cost of a longer degree. The moderate sample size suggests steady enrollment, and graduates are earning solidly middle-class incomes within a year. If your student is certain about healthcare and wants to start working quickly, the math here works—though exploring whether lower-debt options exist among New Mexico's other allied health programs could be worthwhile.