Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College

Graduates from this Allied Health program start with modest earnings of $45,000, then see their income drop by 13% to $39,000 within four years—an unusual trajectory that raises questions about credential strength or local job market limitations. While the starting salary lands near Kentucky's median for these programs, it trails the national average by $9,000 and falls far behind what graduates earn at similar Kentucky schools like Elizabethtown ($60,000) or Bluegrass ($56,000).

The $21,669 in median debt isn't catastrophic—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.48 is manageable compared to many programs—but the declining income trajectory changes the calculus. When graduates at peer Kentucky schools are earning $50,000-$60,000 four years out, this program's $39,000 figure becomes harder to justify, even at a lower debt level. The earnings decline could reflect graduates working part-time hours, shifting to lower-paying roles, or facing limited advancement opportunities in the Bowling Green area.

For families considering this program, the comparison to other Kentucky community colleges is telling. If your student can access schools like Elizabethtown or Bluegrass, they'd likely earn $15,000-$20,000 more annually with similar debt levels. If location constrains your options to Southcentral Kentucky, understand you're accepting below-average outcomes for this credential type, with income likely to decrease rather than grow in those crucial early career years.