Est. Earnings (1yr)
$56,309
Est. from VA median (12 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$12,683
Est. from VA median (6 programs)

Analysis

Similar allied health programs across Virginia suggest earnings around $56,300—right at the state median but well below the $74,000 that Northern Virginia Community College graduates achieve. The estimated $12,700 in debt, however, sits notably lower than both the state median ($16,150) and national benchmark ($19,100), creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23. That's a manageable burden for a healthcare credential, though the wide earnings variation among Virginia's community colleges—from $58,000 to $74,000—highlights how much location and specific program track matter in allied health.

The challenge here is opacity. When data suppression prevents seeing actual outcomes for Southside Virginia's graduates, you're betting on whether this rural college performs like the state median or falls below it. The lower estimated debt suggests controlled costs, which matters for the third of students receiving Pell grants. But allied health is broad—spanning everything from radiologic technology to respiratory therapy—and different specializations command vastly different salaries even with the same degree type.

Before committing, identify the exact healthcare track your child would pursue and verify where Southside's clinical partnerships place students. A radiation therapy program in rural Virginia operates in a completely different labor market than the same credential near a major hospital system, and these estimates can't tell you which scenario applies here.

Where Southside Virginia Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (28 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Southside Virginia Community CollegeAlberta$4,848$56,309*$12,683*
Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale$5,703$74,050*$68,377$13,437*0.18
Sentara College of Health SciencesChesapeake$63,585*$61,695$21,000*0.33
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk$5,714$62,524*$54,315$12,530*0.20
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeRichmond$5,136$61,104*$56,681$20,435*0.33
Mountain Empire Community CollegeBig Stone Gap$4,863$58,346*$45,789*
National Median$54,327*$19,113*0.35
* 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 Southside Virginia Community College, approximately 34% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 12 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.