Location: Knoxville, TN•In-State Tuition: $17,935
Median Earnings (1yr)
$43,775
22nd percentile
40th percentile in Tennessee
Est. Median Debt
$26,249
Est. from national median (14 programs)
Sample: 20 graduates Limited data

Analysis

At $43,775 in first-year earnings, this program falls notably short of what allied health graduates typically earn. The national median for this field sits at $60,447, meaning graduates here start nearly $17,000 behind their peers elsewhere. Even within Tennessee, where comparable programs produce median earnings of $48,671, South College's outcomes lag by roughly $5,000. Programs at Baptist Health Sciences University and Tennessee State University both report first-year earnings exceeding $48,000, suggesting stronger pipelines into higher-paying positions.

The estimated debt of $26,249—based on similar programs at South College—translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60, which is manageable on paper but becomes more concerning when paired with below-median starting salaries. Allied health fields often require licensure and continuing education costs, so starting with less earning power means less cushion for those professional investments. With half of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are banking on economic mobility that these earnings figures don't strongly support.

For families weighing this investment, the gap between what this program appears to deliver and what's available at other Tennessee institutions is significant enough to warrant serious comparison shopping. The combination of lower earnings and estimated debt that's close to state averages suggests this particular program may not be positioning graduates as competitively as alternatives within driving distance.

Where South College Stands

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

South College (estimated ±10%)Other allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How South College graduates compare to all programs nationally

South College earns $44k — 22th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (14 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
South CollegeKnoxville$17,935$43,775—$26,249*—
Baptist Health Sciences UniversityMemphis$13,846$57,633$56,046$31,176*0.54
Tennessee State UniversityNashville$8,568$48,894$52,705—*—
East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson City$9,950$48,671—$24,568*0.50
Austin Peay State UniversityClarksville$8,675$47,809—$25,500*0.53
National Median—$60,447—$27,000*0.45
* Estimated from similar programs

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 South College, approximately 50% 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 20 graduates with reported earnings and 15 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.