Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at The College of Health Care Professions-Austin

Graduates from this Austin certificate program earn roughly $10,000 less than the typical Texas graduate in the same field—landing in just the 25th percentile statewide. At $34,783 in the first year, these earnings trail not only nearby Austin Community College ($66,380) but fall well below what students at Dallas College ($83,557) or even Houston Community College ($64,648) achieve with similar credentials. The modest $16,500 debt load helps somewhat, keeping the burden manageable, but it doesn't offset the fundamental earnings gap.

The program serves a predominantly low-income student population (69% receive Pell grants), yet the earnings trajectory offers little upward mobility. Four years out, graduates see only a 3% bump to $35,674—barely enough to keep pace with inflation. Compare this to the state median of $46,266, and the opportunity cost becomes clear: students are investing time and money in a program that delivers substantially less than comparable options across Texas.

For families weighing this investment, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere. Texas has 67 schools offering this certificate, many delivering significantly better outcomes. Unless there are compelling geographic or schedule constraints, exploring alternatives—particularly community college programs with proven track records—would likely serve your child's financial future better.