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Cheapest Allied Health Diagnostic Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Skyline College in San Bruno stands out as an unusual case among Allied Health Diagnostic programs, offering students a negative net price of $1,180, meaning federal aid covers more than tuition costs. This California community college represents the bottom of a price range that spans nearly $8,000 to reach Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico at $6,326. Meanwhile, CUNY City College graduates earn $115,339 annually, demonstrating the field's potential returns despite program affordability. The healthcare sector continues expanding across major metropolitan areas like New York and California, where imaging technicians, respiratory therapists, and medical sonographers find steady employment at hospitals and diagnostic centers. Ohio University's satellite campuses appear frequently on this list, though their graduation rates hover around 20 percent, raising questions about completion despite low costs. California State University-Fullerton achieves a 69.20 percent graduation rate while maintaining costs under $6,000, suggesting that affordable programs can deliver results when properly resourced.
50
Programs
$-1,180 – $9,962
Net Price Range
$43,253
Avg. Program Earnings
43.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-1,180 $1,332 41.4%
2 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
3 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
4 $4,694 $3,283 29.6%
5 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
6 $4,783 $7,332 19.4% 81.8%
7 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
8 $5,244 $3,370 57.1% 84.5%
9 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
10 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
11 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
12 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
13 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
14 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
15 $6,326 54.9%
16 $6,329 $4,110 17.9%
17 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
18 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
19 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
20 $6,544 $8,198 42.6%
21 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
22 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
23 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
24 $7,382 $5,542 38.4% 67.8%
25 $7,455 $5,354 50.6% 54.0%
26 $7,523 $3,855 51.5%
27 $7,559 $6,920 31.1%
28 $7,569 $6,920 36.4%
29 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
30 $7,607 $5,542 38.7% 45.7%
31 $8,011 $6,442 59.1% 77.8%
32 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
33 $8,245 $5,580 43.1% 52.8%
34 $8,249 $3,401 38.5%
35 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
36 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
37 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
38 $8,837 $26,892 59.1% 75.4%
39 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
40 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
41 $8,932 $5,580 39.4% 47.0%
42 $9,034 $5,580 42.7% 40.1%
43 $9,104 $8,520 58.1%
44 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
45 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
46 $9,219 $6,992 15.1%
47 $9,287 $8,032 32.7% 70.1%
48 $9,832 $3,050 41.2%
49 $9,918 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
50 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Skyline College's negative net price for Allied Health programs?

Skyline College charges just $1,332 in annual tuition for California residents, while federal Pell Grants and other aid packages typically exceed this amount by $1,180. Community colleges often have lower operational costs than four-year institutions, allowing them to keep tuition minimal. California's solid financial aid system also helps cover living expenses beyond tuition. This creates a scenario where qualified students actually receive more in aid than they pay in educational costs.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable Allied Health programs?

Graduation rates span from 13.70 percent at Ohio University-Lancaster to 69.20 percent at Cal State Fullerton, showing dramatic differences despite similar costs. Ohio's satellite campuses consistently show rates below 20 percent, while CUNY schools typically achieve 30-55 percent completion. Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music reaches 57.10 percent despite being primarily a music school. These variations suggest that institutional support and student demographics matter more than program cost alone.

Is earning potential strong enough to justify student debt in Allied Health programs?

CUNY City College graduates earn $115,339 annually while carrying manageable debt loads from low tuition costs. Indiana University campuses show more modest earnings around $52,000, but their debt levels stay reasonable at $22,026 to $27,000. The field's median earnings of $38,289 to $115,339 indicate significant variation based on specialization and location. Students entering diagnostic imaging or specialized therapy roles typically see higher compensation than those in general health support positions.

Where do most affordable Allied Health programs cluster geographically?

New York dominates the list with four CUNY campuses, reflecting the state university system's commitment to affordable healthcare education. Ohio appears frequently through satellite campuses, though with concerning graduation rates below 20 percent. California contributes two programs including the lowest-cost option at Skyline College. These clustering patterns often reflect state funding priorities and regional healthcare workforce needs in major metropolitan areas.

Does program cost correlate with acceptance rates at these schools?

Acceptance rates range from 59.14 percent at CUNY York College to 85.75 percent at Indiana University-Kokomo, with most programs accepting 65-85 percent of applicants. Lower-cost community college programs tend toward open admission policies, while four-year institutions maintain modest selectivity. Puerto Rico Conservatory accepts 84.48 percent despite being specialized, and Ohio's satellite campuses likely accept most qualified applicants. The relatively high acceptance rates suggest these affordable programs prioritize access over exclusivity.

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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.