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Allied Health Diagnostic at Merced College

Merced, CA · Public · Certificate · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

enrolling 9,677 students in Merced, CA.

Program Analysis

Graduates of Merced College's Allied Health Diagnostic program earn $78,871/yr in their first year — 50% above the $52,503 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

The 691.1x 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.

A #7 ranking out of 811 programs puts Merced College in the top 1% for Allied Health Diagnostic. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

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

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
76
Low End
81
Score
81
High End
Earnings $78,871/yr (50% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (124,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$825K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
691.1x
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)
$1,194
Out-of-state: $8,154

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

View all 811 schools offering Allied Health Diagnostic →

Allied Health Diagnostic at Other Schools

Anne Arundel Community College ($119,581) Crafton Hills College ($117,351) Foothill College ($107,048) Canada College ($106,691) Red Rocks Community College ($104,021) CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College ($100,611) American River College ($100,258) Molloy College ($94,599)

Other Majors at Merced College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($107,024) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($47,114) Psychology, General ($34,441) Social Sciences, General ($34,168) Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants ($31,349) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($31,050) Precision Metal Working ($27,541) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($27,413)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Allied Health Diagnostic degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Merced College's Allied Health Diagnostic program score?
This program scores 81/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Allied Health Diagnostic nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Why does Merced College rank so high for Allied Health Diagnostic?
Among 811 Allied Health Diagnostic programs, Merced College's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
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.
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 →