Location: South Holland, IL•In-State Tuition: $5,093•Out-of-State Tuition: $12,683
Median Earnings (1yr)
$52,242
42nd percentile
40th percentile in Illinois
Median Debt
$8,347
56% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.16 ManageableSample: 33 graduates

Analysis

South Suburban College delivers one of the strongest debt outcomes you'll find for allied health training—just $8,347 in median debt, well below both the Illinois median ($13,500) and the national median ($19,113). That's a significant financial advantage that makes this program accessible even to cost-conscious families. The first-year earnings of $52,242 sit slightly below state and national medians, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 means graduates can comfortably manage their loans while building a healthcare career.

The earnings gap is real though. Top Illinois programs like Harper College and College of DuPage produce graduates earning $10,000-$13,000 more annually, which compounds over a career. For students prioritizing minimal debt and quick entry into the workforce, South Suburban offers a viable path—you're looking at roughly $700 monthly loan payments versus potentially $1,100+ elsewhere. But if maximizing earning potential matters more, and especially if your child can commute to one of the higher-performing programs, the extra earnings likely justify moderately higher debt.

The calculus here depends on your family's situation. If taking on zero debt beyond the federal subsidized maximum is non-negotiable, this program works. If career earnings growth is the priority, investigate why Harper and DuPage graduates command such a premium—it may be clinical placement networks, program specializations, or employer relationships worth pursuing instead.

Where South Suburban College Stands

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

South Suburban CollegeOther allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How South Suburban College graduates compare to all programs nationally

South Suburban College earns $52k — 42th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions associates programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (43 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
South Suburban CollegeSouth Holland$5,093$52,242—$8,3470.16
William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine$3,822$65,443$73,647$16,5250.25
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeChicago$4,380$63,963—$12,1690.19
College of DuPageGlen Ellyn$4,320$62,471—$17,2500.28
Triton CollegeRiver Grove$4,920$62,280$57,453$14,2850.23
Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet$4,530$57,778—$12,3550.21
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 Suburban College, approximately 22% 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 24 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.