Allied Health Diagnostic at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Chicago, IL · Public · Certificate · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

serving 5,847 students in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,481/yr fall 46% below the $52,503 national median for Allied Health Diagnostic. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 68.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Allied Health Diagnostic programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Allied Health Diagnostic's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #635 of 811 Allied Health Diagnostic programs, City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Allied Health Diagnostic offers 8 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
56
Score
56
High End
Earnings $28,481/yr (-46% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (124,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$298K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
68.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
19 of 19
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,380
Out-of-state: $14,430

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Medical dosimetrists $138,110 +3.5% 55%
Physician assistants $133,260 +20.4% 83%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Medical dosimetrists
$138,110
+3.5% growth 55% AI-proof
Physician assistants
$133,260
+20.4% growth 83% AI-proof
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof

View all 19 career paths with full salary data →

About Allied Health Diagnostic Careers

Your career in allied health puts you at the center of patient care. One day you might be a radiologic technologist, carefully positioning a patient for a CT scan and operating advanced imaging equipment to help diagnose an injury. With further training, you could become a physician assistant, working alongside a doctor to examine patients, diagnose conditions, and create comprehensive treatment plans in a busy clinic.

Read the full Allied Health Diagnostic career guide →

Compare & Explore

Allied Health Diagnostic Overview

Allied Health Diagnostic at Other Schools

Other Majors at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College's Allied Health Diagnostic program score?
At 56/100, the score looks reasonable — but Allied Health Diagnostic is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Is City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College a good choice for Allied Health Diagnostic despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Allied Health Diagnostic?
Allied Health Diagnostic connects to 8 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates?
With approximately 124,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Allied Health Diagnostic offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →