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Best Value Allied Health Diagnostic Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

CUNY City College delivers the most striking return on investment in allied health diagnostics at $3,486 net cost while graduates earn $115,339 annually. This represents a cost-to-earnings ratio that outperforms even University of Washington-Seattle Campus, where students pay nearly four times more despite earning just $6,000 additional income. The field connects directly to America's expanding healthcare infrastructure, where medical imaging technologists, respiratory therapists, and diagnostic specialists fill critical gaps in both urban medical centers and rural healthcare systems. Public institutions dominate the value market, with 13 of the top 15 programs charging under $11,000 annually. California and Indiana appear twice each among top performers, though earnings vary dramatically from $38,289 at CSU-Fresno to over $120,000 in Seattle. Regional job markets clearly influence graduate outcomes, as programs near major metropolitan areas typically produce higher-earning professionals who work in specialized hospital systems and outpatient diagnostic centers.
50
Programs
$3,486 – $26,985
Net Price Range
$58,843
Avg. Program Earnings
52.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,486 $115,339 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
2 $7,599 $83,669 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
3 $13,485 $121,294 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
4 $5,970 $52,822 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
5 $6,276 $52,107 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
6 $7,131 $54,209 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
7 $10,399 $63,501 $2,474 43.5%
8 $9,219 $54,748 $6,992 15.1%
9 $6,480 $38,289 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
10 $7,168 $41,937 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
11 $10,011 $56,716 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
12 $8,327 $45,956 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
13 $10,089 $55,512 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
14 $12,251 $67,101 $33,968 60.4% 77.4%
15 $10,097 $53,810 $6,906 37.0%
16 $11,408 $56,362 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
17 $10,988 $53,775 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
18 $11,882 $57,755 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
19 $10,722 $51,813 $6,391 43.0%
20 $14,715 $70,456 $9,192 49.9% 93.5%
21 $19,585 $92,277 $33,560 56.7% 84.0%
22 $12,202 $57,318 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
23 $12,983 $58,943 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
24 $16,391 $73,949 $12,687 59.1% 92.6%
25 $18,430 $82,756 $10,560 77.8% 49.1%
26 $8,896 $38,289 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
27 $10,026 $42,682 $8,568 33.0%
28 $12,621 $52,733 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
29 $10,753 $44,170 $7,272 25.8%
30 $11,633 $47,260 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
31 $14,773 $59,124 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
32 $9,962 $39,369 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
33 $13,584 $53,358 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
34 $12,579 $49,227 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
35 $13,046 $50,856 $9,578 52.6%
36 $13,347 $51,065 $8,122 48.6% 85.5%
37 $11,593 $44,170 $7,272 28.2%
38 $11,877 $45,082 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
39 $26,985 $102,306 $50,110 68.5% 84.7%
40 $13,401 $50,677 $13,846 53.8% 40.9%
41 $8,155 $30,771 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
42 $11,257 $42,123 $8,460 52.0% 71.2%
43 $15,374 $57,318 $9,651 71.2% 74.3%
44 $15,156 $56,415 $15,672 65.0% 34.4%
45 $22,978 $84,653 $33,450 36.6% 59.6%
46 $10,785 $39,369 $5,009 36.8% 69.6%
47 $19,407 $70,596 $16,586 67.6% 73.9%
48 $16,284 $59,124 $37,000 64.6% 58.4%
49 $17,185 $62,012 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
50 $15,847 $56,979 $5,785 51.9% 32.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the massive earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paying programs?

University of Washington-Seattle graduates earn $121,294 compared to $38,289 for CSU-Fresno alumni, reflecting regional healthcare market differences. Seattle's proximity to major medical systems like UW Medicine and Swedish Medical Center creates demand for specialized diagnostic professionals. Geographic location accounts for much of this $83,000 earnings spread, as metropolitan areas typically offer higher salaries. Cost of living adjustments don't fully explain the gap, suggesting program quality and regional job markets both matter significantly.

How do private schools compare to public institutions for program value?

Only two private schools crack the top 15, with Brigham Young University-Idaho at $7,131 net cost and Holy Family University at $12,251. Holy Family graduates earn $67,101 annually, providing solid returns despite higher costs than most public options. Public institutions dominate value rankings because in-state tuition keeps costs below $11,000 at 11 of the top 15 schools. The data suggests public programs offer better financial returns for most students entering this field.

Is there a correlation between acceptance rates and program quality?

University of Washington-Seattle has the most selective admissions at 47.52% acceptance and produces the highest-earning graduates at $121,294. However, Marshall University accepts 96.88% of applicants while graduates still earn $45,956 annually. California State University-Northridge combines high accessibility at 91.23% acceptance with strong earnings of $83,669. This suggests that program selectivity doesn't always predict career outcomes in allied health diagnostics.

Does student debt significantly impact the value proposition of these programs?

Average debt loads range from $10,750 at Valencia College to $28,625 at University of Washington-Seattle. UW-Seattle graduates can easily service higher debt given their $121,294 annual earnings, while CSU-Fresno graduates earning $38,289 face tighter budgets with $18,875 in loans. Most programs keep debt below $23,000, making them manageable investments. The debt-to-income ratios remain favorable across all schools, with even the highest debt representing less than 25% of first-year earnings.

Where do graduation rates suggest the strongest program support?

University of Washington-Seattle leads with an 83.7% graduation rate, followed by Holy Family University at 60.4%. Several strong value programs show concerning completion rates, including University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College at just 15.1% and University of Arkansas-Fort Smith at 37%. Higher graduation rates typically correlate with better student support services and program structure. These completion statistics should factor heavily into program selection alongside cost and earnings data.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.