Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at Truckee Meadows Community College

First-year earnings of $68,033 put this program well above the national median for allied health associates degrees, landing in the 95th percentile nationally. While debt figures for this specific program aren't available, comparable community college programs nationally suggest around $16,700 in borrowing—a reasonable debt load that graduates could realistically pay down with these salary levels. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 indicates a manageable burden, though remember these debt figures are extrapolated from peer institutions rather than Truckee Meadows' actual graduates.

What's puzzling is the earnings trajectory: median pay drops from $68,033 in year one to $61,330 by year four. This 10% decline is unusual for healthcare fields and could reflect graduates starting in higher-paying roles (perhaps specialties like surgical technology) then moving to different positions, or it might signal part-time work as some graduates pursue further education. Within Nevada, this program sits at the 60th percentile—respectable but not dominant—with College of Southern Nevada showing similar first-year outcomes.

The strong first-year earnings relative to estimated debt make this a solid financial proposition if your child is committed to allied health. However, the earnings decline warrants a conversation with the program about typical career paths and whether graduates maintain full-time employment in their field. The immediate earning potential is there, but understanding why it doesn't grow over four years matters for long-term planning.