Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Tarrant County College District

Tarrant County College's allied health program produces graduates earning nearly $58,000 in their first year—above both the national and Texas medians—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. At just under $17,250 in debt, graduates owe less than a third of their first-year income, which translates to manageable monthly payments even on an entry-level healthcare salary.

The earnings trajectory here is worth noting: graduates see a 6% bump by year four, reaching over $61,000. While this isn't explosive growth, it's steady progression in a field known for stability. However, this program sits squarely in the middle of Texas options—performing reasonably well but trailing community colleges like Hill College and South Texas College by $10,000 or more annually. That gap matters when you're comparing institutions with similar costs and geographic accessibility.

The real question is whether TCC's location advantages in Fort Worth outweigh the higher earnings at competing programs. If your child can easily commute to TCC, the combination of solid starting pay and low debt makes this a practical choice. But if relocation is on the table anyway, it's worth examining whether those top-performing programs offer better clinical placement networks or specialized tracks that explain their earnings premium.