Allied Health Diagnostic at Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

a compact campus enrolling 4,248 students in Tacoma, WA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,435 put Tacoma Community College's Allied Health Diagnostic program 40% above the national median of $52,503 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 78.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.

With first-year pay of $73,435 far exceeding the $13,094 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #171 out of 811 programs, Tacoma Community College's Allied Health Diagnostic program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $73,435 to $74,687 over five years (2% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 8 registered apprenticeships mapped to Allied Health Diagnostic, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
73
Score
74
High End
Earnings $73,435/yr (40% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (124,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$768K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
78.1x
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)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $22,060
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,094
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,687
2% growth from Year 1

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 Tacoma Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Allied Health Diagnostic at Tacoma Community College?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Tacoma Community College's Allied Health Diagnostic graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
What's the typical debt for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates from Tacoma Community College?
At $13,094 in median debt, Allied Health Diagnostic graduates from Tacoma Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Tacoma Community College's Allied Health Diagnostic program stand out?
The #171 ranking out of 811 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Allied Health Diagnostic through an apprenticeship instead?
Yes — 8 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Allied Health Diagnostic career paths, including Computed Tomography (Ct) Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Allied Health Diagnostic workers?
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 →