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Allied Health Professions at Western Dakota Technical College

Rapid City, SD · Public · Associate Degree · Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions

with a smaller student body of 733 in Rapid City, SD.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $54,737/yr, roughly in line with the $52,503 national median for Allied Health Professions. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 40.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Allied Health Professions career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $54,737 far exceeding the $15,176 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #500 ranking among 811 Allied Health Professions programs places Western Dakota Technical College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $54,737 to $63,185 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $54,737/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (124,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$647K
3.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
40.4x
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
$16,016
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,176
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,185
15% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Allied Health Professions 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 →

Allied Health Professions Career Guide

Allied Health Professions opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Allied Health Professions career guide →

Compare & Explore

Allied Health Professions Overview

View all 811 schools offering Allied Health Professions →

Allied Health Professions 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 Western Dakota Technical College

Clinical Laboratory Science ($46,378) Precision Metalworking ($44,614) Practical Nursing ($43,884) Electrical Installation ($41,303) Computer Networking ($40,418) Vehicle Repair Technology ($38,031) Precision Metalworking ($37,717) Dental Assisting ($32,951)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Allied Health Professions degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Allied Health Professions at Western Dakota Technical College?
A score of 62/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Western Dakota Technical College trails the majority of Allied Health Professions programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the typical debt for Allied Health Professions graduates from Western Dakota Technical College?
Median debt of just $15,176 against $54,737/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Allied Health Professions program at Western Dakota Technical College?
Beyond Western Dakota Technical College's classroom route, 8 registered apprenticeships map to Allied Health Professions careers — including Computed Tomography (Ct) Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Allied Health Professions graduates from Western Dakota Technical College find jobs?
The very large job market (124,000 annual openings) works in favor of Allied Health Professions graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →