Location: Abingdon, VA•In-State Tuition: $4,863•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,866
2026 ROI Award Winner
#6 in Virginia
Median Earnings (1yr)
$62,422
84th percentile
80th percentile in Virginia
Median Debt
$9,500
33% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.15 ManageableSample: 38 graduates

Analysis

Virginia Highlands Community College's allied health program punches well above its weight class, delivering $62,422 in first-year earnings—nearly 50% more than Virginia's median for similar programs. Among the 24 schools offering this credential in Virginia, it ranks in the 80th percentile, outperforming much larger institutions and sitting just behind Bon Secours St Mary's specialized medical imaging program. Nationally, it lands in the 84th percentile, putting it ahead of roughly 840 other allied health certificate programs.

The debt picture makes this particularly compelling: at $9,500, graduates carry about $1,600 less than the Virginia median and roughly $4,700 less than the national average. That 0.15 debt-to-earnings ratio means students typically repay their entire investment in under two months of work—exceptional for any health credential. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, this program appears to serve working-class students effectively while positioning them for middle-class earnings.

For Virginia families looking at allied health careers, this represents one of the strongest values in the state. The combination of top-quintile earnings, below-average debt, and community college accessibility makes it a straightforward win for students serious about clinical work.

Where Virginia Highlands Community College Stands

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

Virginia Highlands Community CollegeOther allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How Virginia Highlands Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Virginia Highlands Community College earns $62k — 84th percentile among allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (24 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAbingdon$4,863$62,422—$9,5000.15
Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical ImagingRichmond—$61,647—$21,2730.35
Germanna Community CollegeLocust Grove$5,066$47,882$63,224$11,0000.23
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk$5,714$42,572—$11,6870.27
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeCharlottesville$4,928$42,570—$10,6340.25
Central Virginia Community CollegeLynchburg$4,998$36,254—$15,8590.44
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 Virginia Highlands Community College, approximately 42% 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 38 graduates with reported earnings and 25 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.