Location: Poplar Bluff, MO•In-State Tuition: $4,860•Out-of-State Tuition: $6,090
Median Earnings (1yr)
$27,022
5th percentile
10th percentile in Missouri
Median Debt
$7,837
45% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.29 ManageableSample: 30 graduates

Analysis

Three Rivers College's allied health certificate leaves graduates earning just $27,022 after a year—40% less than Missouri's median for these programs and barely half what nearby Ozarks Technical Community College delivers. Ranking in the 10th percentile statewide means only one in ten comparable Missouri programs produces lower earnings. For a family considering this certificate, that's a significant red flag, especially when nearby alternatives like Saint Louis Community College ($51,903) and even Southern Missouri Technical Institute ($41,816) offer substantially better outcomes.

The one bright spot is modest debt: at $7,837, graduates aren't saddled with crushing loans, and the 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio means repayment should be manageable even with these lower wages. However, low debt can't compensate for earnings that fall dramatically short of what similar programs deliver across Missouri. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many families can't afford to gamble on below-market returns.

If your child is set on allied health in Missouri, look elsewhere. The earnings gap between Three Rivers and higher-performing programs isn't marginal—it represents thousands of dollars annually that could make the difference between financial stability and struggle. This program simply doesn't position graduates competitively in the Missouri allied health job market.

Where Three Rivers College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate's programs nationally

Three Rivers CollegeOther allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Three Rivers College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Three Rivers College earns $27k — 5th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Missouri

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in Missouri (20 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Three Rivers CollegePoplar Bluff$4,860$27,022—$7,8370.29
Saint Louis Community CollegeBridgeton$3,660$51,903$44,982$11,0000.21
Ozarks Technical Community CollegeSpringfield$4,184$45,344$41,352$20,9910.46
Southern Missouri Technical InstituteWest Plains—$41,816———
Franklin Technology Center Adult EducationJoplin—$36,736—$9,5000.26
National Median—$45,746—$14,1670.31

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions graduates

Medical Dosimetrists

Generate radiation treatment plans, develop radiation dose calculations, communicate and supervise the treatment plan implementation, and consult with members of radiation oncology team.

$138,110/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Physician Assistants

Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Anesthesiologist Assistants

Assist anesthesiologists in the administration of anesthesia for surgical and non-surgical procedures. Monitor patient status and provide patient care during surgical treatment.

$133,260/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nuclear Technicians

Assist nuclear physicists, nuclear engineers, or other scientists in laboratory, power generation, or electricity production activities. May operate, maintain, or provide quality control for nuclear testing and research equipment. May monitor radiation.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Monitoring Technicians

Collect and test samples to monitor results of nuclear experiments and contamination of humans, facilities, and environment.

$104,240/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiation Therapists

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

$101,990/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nuclear Medicine Technologists

Prepare, administer, and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies using a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered by radiologists. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

$97,020/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Produce ultrasonic recordings of internal organs for use by physicians. Includes vascular technologists.

$89,340/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Respiratory Therapists

Assess, treat, and care for patients with breathing disorders. Assume primary responsibility for all respiratory care modalities, including the supervision of respiratory therapy technicians. Initiate and conduct therapeutic procedures; maintain patient records; and select, assemble, check, and operate equipment.

$80,450/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Radiologic Technologists and Technicians

Take x-rays and CAT scans or administer nonradioactive materials into patient's bloodstream for diagnostic or research purposes. Includes radiologic technologists and technicians who specialize in other scanning modalities.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists

Operate Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners. Monitor patient safety and comfort, and view images of area being scanned to ensure quality of pictures. May administer gadolinium contrast dosage intravenously. May interview patient, explain MRI procedures, and position patient on examining table. May enter into the computer data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified, and position of entry.

$78,980/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Three Rivers College, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 30 graduates with reported earnings and 25 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.