Allied Health Diagnostic at Howard Community College

Columbia, MD · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

enrolling 6,779 students in Columbia, MD.

Program Analysis

Howard Community College Allied Health Diagnostic graduates command $72,633/yr out of the gate, well above the $52,503 national median. That 38% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 94.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 2% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Allied Health Diagnostic career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,200 in median debt clears fast against $72,633 in annual earnings.

Howard Community College ranks #91 among 811 Allied Health Diagnostic programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $72,633 to $76,865 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 8 apprenticeship pathways connected to Allied Health Diagnostic reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
75
Score
76
High End
Earnings $72,633/yr (38% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (124,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$775K
1.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
94.9x
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)
$8,160
Out-of-state: $17,952
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,200
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,865
6% 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 Howard Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Howard Community College's Allied Health Diagnostic program score?
At 75/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How affordable is Allied Health Diagnostic at Howard Community College?
At $19,200 in median debt, Allied Health Diagnostic graduates from Howard Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Howard Community College's Allied Health Diagnostic program stand out?
Ranked #91 of 811 programs nationally, Howard Community College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates?
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.
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 →