Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions at University of Northern Iowa

The most puzzling aspect of this program is the steep drop in earnings between year one and year four—from an estimated $60,000 to just $38,000. While the first-year figure is derived from national benchmarks and represents what similar allied health programs typically produce, the fourth-year number is actual data from UNI graduates, and it tells a troubling story. This pattern suggests graduates may be stepping back from full-time clinical work, switching to less lucrative roles, or facing challenges in the allied health job market that peers at other schools aren't experiencing.

The $23,250 debt load is lower than both the national and Iowa median, which would normally be reassuring. But when paired with that fourth-year earnings dip, the financial picture becomes more complicated. If your child's earnings trajectory follows what UNI's recent graduates have experienced rather than the national estimate, they'll be managing loan payments on an income well below what this degree typically commands. The University of Iowa's program shows first-year earnings of $61,000—close to the national benchmark—but we don't know if their graduates maintain that trajectory better than UNI's do.

Before committing, you need to understand why earnings drop so dramatically. Talk to the program directly about career paths, alumni outcomes, and whether the fourth-year figure reflects part-time work patterns common in the field or signals something more concerning about graduate success.