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

Graduates from this program earn roughly $12,000 less than peers at other Texas allied health programs—a significant gap that persists even as their earnings decline nearly 10% by year four. While first-year earnings of $43,823 might seem respectable initially, comparable programs at Houston Community College produce graduates earning $67,098, and even community colleges like South Texas and Temple see graduates earning above $60,000. At the 25th percentile statewide, three-quarters of similar Texas programs deliver better outcomes.

The debt picture compounds these concerns. At $30,500, graduates carry 77% more debt than the Texas median for these programs, despite earning substantially less. This creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70—manageable but much higher than it should be given the relatively lower earning potential. The fact that 66% of students receive Pell grants suggests many families here are stretching financially for an outcome that underperforms more affordable alternatives.

With 65 allied health programs across Texas and several strong performers in the Houston area itself, this program doesn't make financial sense. Your child could attend a nearby community college program, graduate with half the debt, and earn $20,000+ more annually. That's not a marginal difference—it fundamentally changes the financial trajectory of early-career healthcare professionals.