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

This program's graduates earn notably less than typical allied health professionals in Texas—about $12,000 below the state median—while carrying significantly higher debt loads. At $30,500, students here graduate with nearly double the state's typical debt burden for this field. Among Texas allied health programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile for earnings, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs produce better-paid graduates. Community colleges like Houston Community College and South Texas College send graduates into the field earning $25,000+ more annually with substantially less debt.

The earnings trajectory raises additional concerns: graduates see their pay decline by 9% between years one and four, dropping from $43,823 to $39,835. This backward movement is unusual in healthcare fields, where experience typically commands higher wages. While 60% of students receive Pell grants—suggesting the school serves economically vulnerable families—the combination of below-market earnings and above-market debt creates a challenging financial equation. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70 means graduates face nearly nine months of gross income in debt for a credential that appears to underperform its public college alternatives.

For families choosing among Texas allied health programs, the comparison is stark. A student could attend a community college, incur half the debt, and position themselves for 40-50% higher earnings. Unless there are compelling location or scheduling constraints, exploring alternative programs—particularly community colleges with stronger placement outcomes—would serve most students better.