Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Tidewater Community College

Tidewater Community College graduates from this allied health program start strong at $62,524—well above the national median of $54,327 and ranking in the 84th percentile nationally. With just $12,530 in debt, the immediate picture looks exceptionally affordable: you're borrowing roughly 20 cents for every dollar earned in the first year, far better than the national median debt of $19,113 for this field.

The complication comes with the earnings trajectory. By year four, median income drops to $54,315, a 13% decline that's unusual for allied health careers. This could reflect graduates moving between specialties, shifting to part-time work, or simply the volatility of diagnostic and intervention roles in the Hampton Roads healthcare market. It's worth noting that despite this dip, the program still ranks in the 60th percentile among Virginia's 28 offerings—middle of the pack statewide but competitive against most schools outside Northern Virginia.

For families weighing this option, the low debt load is the decisive factor. Even with earnings settling around $54,000, graduates aren't burdened by loan payments that could derail their financial stability. If your student is committed to staying in the region and values starting work quickly with minimal debt, this program offers a practical entry point into healthcare—just don't expect steady income growth in those critical early career years.