Location: Valdosta, GA•In-State Tuition: $6,007•Out-of-State Tuition: $17,062•Admission Rate: 83%•Avg SAT: 1037
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$58,249
Est. from GA median (3 programs)
Median Debt
$26,478
2% below national median

Analysis

Similar allied health programs across Georgia suggest first-year earnings around $58,000 for this bachelor's degree, but Valdosta State shows an unusual pattern: fourth-year earnings drop to $49,000. This backward trajectory is rare in healthcare fields and warrants closer examination. It could signal graduates moving into different roles, geographic migration to lower-cost areas, or simply reflect the limitations of estimating from a small sample of peer programs.

The $26,478 debt load sits right at Georgia's median for these programs, making the initial debt-to-earnings ratio manageable at 0.45—you'd owe roughly five months of that first year's salary. However, if those fourth-year earnings are representative, the financial picture deteriorates rather than improves. Compare this to Georgia State's allied health graduates earning $78,000, and you see the wide range of outcomes within the same state for nominally similar credentials.

For a family where half the students qualify for Pell grants, that $26,000 debt is significant but not catastrophic—if the career trajectory follows typical healthcare patterns with steady advancement. The concern is that declining earnings curve. Before committing, verify what specific allied health concentration this program emphasizes and where recent graduates actually work. Some healthcare roles have strong early earnings but limited advancement, while others start modestly but grow substantially. The difference matters enormously when you're taking on debt based on estimated peer data rather than this program's proven track record.

Where Valdosta State University Stands

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

Valdosta State University (estimated ±10%)Other allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Valdosta State University—$49,205—
University of Washington-Seattle Campus$135,384$143,937+6%
Georgia State University$78,175$67,673-13%
Augusta University$58,249$59,746+3%
Georgia Southern University$58,026$58,542+1%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (11 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Valdosta State UniversityValdosta$6,007$58,249*$49,205$26,478—
Georgia State UniversityAtlanta$8,478$78,175*$67,673$25,3360.32
Augusta UniversityAugusta$8,122$58,249*$59,746$26,5000.45
Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro$5,905$58,026*$58,542$28,0000.48
National Median—$60,447*—$27,0000.45
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Valdosta State University, approximately 51% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in GA. Actual outcomes may vary.