Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Southwestern Illinois College

Southwestern Illinois College graduates start strong with first-year earnings of $57,296—beating both the Illinois median ($53,897) and national average ($54,327) for allied health programs. But there's a puzzle here: by year four, earnings drop to $48,682, a 15% decline that's unusual in healthcare fields where experience typically increases value. This pattern suggests many graduates may be working in roles with limited advancement potential or experiencing high turnover between different types of positions.

The financial risk is minimal. At $9,719 in median debt—less than half the state average and far below the national median of $19,113—graduates carry one of the lowest debt burdens among Illinois allied health programs. That translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.17, meaning a typical graduate could theoretically pay off their loans in about two months of pre-tax earnings. For families concerned about educational debt, this program delivers credentials at community college prices.

The value proposition depends on what happens after that first year. If your child can leverage the initial strong earnings into a stable career path—perhaps through employer-sponsored advancement or additional certifications—this is a low-risk entry point into healthcare. The declining earnings pattern, however, means they should have a clear plan for professional development rather than assuming income will naturally grow with experience.