Location: Lafayette, LA•In-State Tuition: $4,210
Median Earnings (1yr)
$66,452
95th percentile
80th percentile in Louisiana
Median Debt
$15,950
17% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.24 ManageableSample: 21 graduates Limited data

Analysis

South Louisiana Community College graduates from this allied health program are earning $66,452 just one year out—about $14,000 more than Louisiana's median for similar programs and $12,000 above the national average. Among Louisiana's 15 schools offering this credential, these earnings land in the 80th percentile, trailing only Bossier Parish and Fletcher Technical among community colleges. That's impressive performance for a school serving a heavily working-class population (48% Pell recipients), though the sample size here is small enough that a few exceptional graduates could skew these figures upward.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $15,950, graduates owe about $5,400 less than the Louisiana median and carry one of the lowest debt loads among top-performing programs in the state. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, most graduates could realistically pay off their loans within a year or two of focused repayment—a rare scenario in higher education today.

The caveat matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, these numbers might not hold steady year over year. But the fundamentals—strong starting pay, manageable debt, and competitive positioning within Louisiana—suggest this program delivers solid vocational training at community college prices. For families in the Lafayette area looking at allied health careers, this represents a low-risk entry point with apparently strong employer connections.

Where South Louisiana Community College Stands

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

South Louisiana Community CollegeOther allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How South Louisiana Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

South Louisiana Community College earns $66k — 95th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions associates programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
South Louisiana Community CollegeLafayette$4,210$66,452—$15,9500.24
Bossier Parish Community CollegeBossier City$4,283$69,595—$19,1010.27
Fletcher Technical Community CollegeSchriever$4,219$65,650———
Delgado Community CollegeNew Orleans$4,678$57,847$51,553$24,5000.42
Louisiana State University-EuniceEunice$4,730$57,329$51,439$14,9550.26
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady UniversityBaton Rouge$15,690$53,937—$19,8750.37
National Median—$54,327—$19,1130.35

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 Louisiana Community College, approximately 48% 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 21 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.