Allied Health Diagnostic at McLennan Community College

Waco, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

a compact campus enrolling 4,997 students in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $50,839/yr, roughly in line with the $52,503 national median for Allied Health Diagnostic. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 84.1x 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 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates.

With first-year pay of $50,839 far exceeding the $12,780 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #267 out of 811 programs, McLennan Community College's Allied Health Diagnostic offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $50,839 to $60,328 over five years (19% 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.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
70
Score
70
High End
Earnings $50,839/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (124,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$621K
4.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
84.8x
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)
$7,320
Out-of-state: $11,820
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,780
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,328
19% 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 McLennan 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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Allied Health Diagnostic at McLennan Community College?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the typical debt for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates from McLennan Community College?
At $12,780 in median debt, Allied Health Diagnostic graduates from McLennan Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Allied Health Diagnostic graduates?
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?
The career paths mapped to Allied Health Diagnostic have roughly 124,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →