Best colleges for Allied Health Diagnostic
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Allied Health Diagnostic by graduate earnings are Barry University ($144,190), University of Washington-Seattle Campus ($135,384) and Wagner College ($129,269), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Barry University (Miami, FL): $144,190, 99 graduates a year
- University of Washington-Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA): $135,384, 152 graduates a year
- Wagner College (Staten Island, NY): $129,269, 52 graduates a year
- John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences (South Bend, IN): $106,833, 226 graduates a year
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Brooklyn, NY): $105,434, 48 graduates a year
Compare 1,637 U.S. colleges offering Allied Health Diagnostic by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 52 states.
Allied Health Diagnostic programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $54,068 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 51.09 and the Diagnostic Medical Sonographers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Allied Health Diagnostic programs
The Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions program prepares students for a variety of roles within the healthcare sector. This program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to provide diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services, distinct from traditional medicine, nursing, and dentistry fields.
Students will develop essential skills in active listening, critical thinking, and science, along with knowledge in customer service, physics, and medical practices. Coursework may include operating ultrasound equipment, monitoring patient comfort, and providing diagnostic summaries to physicians.
Top 23 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barry University Miami, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $144,190 | 99 | 38% | $24,719 | $31,250 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $135,384 | 152 | 85% | — | $31,625 |
| 3 | Wagner College Staten Island, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $129,269 | 52 | 65% | $27,316 | $27,000 |
| 4 | John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences South Bend, IN Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $106,833 | 226 | — | $23,304 | $30,118 |
| 5 | SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Brooklyn, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $105,434 | 48 | — | — | $27,740 |
| 6 | Seattle University Seattle, WA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $102,664 | 31 | 76% | $31,900 | $27,775 |
| 7 | D'Youville University Buffalo, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $101,885 | 68 | 67% | $18,846 | $42,500 |
| 8 | Seton Hill University Greensburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $100,987 | 44 | 67% | $19,887 | $27,000 |
| 9 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $100,883 | 98 | 66% | $27,359 | $27,000 |
| 10 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $100,724 | 35 | 57% | — | $20,250 |
| 11 | San Joaquin Valley College - Visalia Visalia, CA Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $93,239 | 86 | 36% | $30,518 | $24,931 |
| 12 | National University San Diego, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $92,748 | 52 | 43% | $31,817 | — |
| 13 | Long Island University Brookville, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $92,696 | 77 | 57% | $24,639 | $28,545 |
| 14 | Loma Linda University Loma Linda, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $92,363 | 147 | — | — | $25,000 |
| 15 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $92,165 | 99 | 76% | — | $20,538 |
| 16 | University of Nebraska Medical Center Omaha, NE Public · Bachelor's degree | $85,964 | 157 | — | — | $12,715 |
| 17 | Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $83,906 | 198 | 54% | — | $29,500 |
| 18 | Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $82,918 | 216 | 69% | $26,034 | $25,000 |
| 19 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $78,298 | 95 | 70% | $28,133 | $27,000 |
| 20 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,175 | 33 | 53% | — | $25,336 |
| 21 | AdventHealth University Orlando, FL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $77,225 | 87 | 39% | $31,894 | $32,625 |
| 22 | Columbia Southern University Orange Beach, AL Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online | $83,927 | 306 | 33% | $15,554 | $24,518 |
| 23 | Salisbury University Salisbury, MD Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $80,088 | 16 | 68% | — | $31,000 |
Top 25 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anne Arundel Community College Arnold, MD Public · Certificate | $119,581 | 40 | 31% | — | $23,125 |
| 2 | Crafton Hills College Yucaipa, CA Public · Certificate | $117,351 | 212 | 31% | — | $23,000 |
| 3 | Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA Public · Associate degree | $107,048 | 76 | 56% | — | $12,000 |
| 4 | Red Rocks Community College Lakewood, CO Public · Certificate | $104,021 | 396 | 32% | — | $22,170 |
| 5 | American River College Sacramento, CA Public · Associate degree | $100,258 | 23 | 37% | — | — |
| 6 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CA Public · Associate degree | $88,132 | 93 | 45% | — | $9,000 |
| 7 | College of Eastern Idaho Idaho Falls, ID Public · Certificate | $86,597 | 26 | 39% | — | $10,548 |
| 8 | Dallas College Dallas, TX Public · Certificate | $83,557 | 827 | 32% | — | $14,500 |
| 9 | Hunter Business School Levittown, NY Private for-profit · Certificate | $82,789 | 52 | 85% | $27,954 | $29,320 |
| 10 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA Public · Certificate | $82,599 | 36 | 32% | — | — |
| 11 | Rowan College at Burlington County Mount Laurel, NJ Public · Associate degree | $81,015 | 38 | 36% | — | — |
| 12 | Bellevue College Bellevue, WA Public · Associate degree | $79,877 | 97 | 36% | — | $19,999 |
| 13 | Merced College Merced, CA Public · Certificate | $78,871 | 137 | 36% | — | $11,150 |
| 14 | Contra Costa Medical Career College Antioch, CA Private for-profit · Certificate | $78,315 | 97 | 100% | — | — |
| 15 | Hill College Hillsboro, TX Public · Associate degree | $78,100 | 30 | 32% | — | — |
| 16 | Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts San Jose, CA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $77,617 | 566 | 64% | $31,949 | $24,164 |
| 17 | Canada College Redwood City, CA Public · Associate degree Small program | $106,691 | 12 | 47% | — | $15,000 |
| 18 | CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College New York, NY Public · Associate degree | $100,611 | 58 | 25% | — | $13,900 |
| 19 | Molloy University Rockville Centre, NY Private not-for-profit · Associate degree Small program | $94,599 | 17 | 70% | $25,812 | $27,500 |
| 20 | Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD Concord, CA Public · Certificate Small program | $88,513 | 10 | 80% | — | — |
| 21 | Phoenix College Phoenix, AZ Public · Certificate | $87,436 | 157 | 14% | — | $9,354 |
| 22 | Kapiolani Community College Honolulu, HI Public · Associate degree | $85,511 | 58 | 22% | — | $18,751 |
| 23 | SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla, NY Public · Associate degree | $84,624 | 81 | 25% | — | — |
| 24 | CUNY Bronx Community College Bronx, NY Public · Associate degree | $83,382 | 40 | 16% | — | $7,800 |
| 25 | Nassau Community College Garden City, NY Public · Associate degree | $81,810 | 82 | 23% | — | $18,500 |
Specializations within Allied Health Diagnostic
22 of the 24 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 51.09 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Emergency Medical Technology/CIP 51.0904
Technician (EMT Paramedic) 32,524 graduates / yr662 institutions52 states - Physician Associate/CIP 51.0912
Assistant 13,740 graduates / yr277 institutions47 states - Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0911
Science - Radiographer 13,035 graduates / yr502 institutions50 states - Surgical Technology/CIP 51.0909
Technologist 8,514 graduates / yr460 institutions48 states - Diagnostic Medical Sonography/CIP 51.0910
Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician 7,984 graduates / yr330 institutions49 states - Respiratory Care Therapy/CIP 51.0908
Therapist 6,816 graduates / yr389 institutions48 states - Medical Radiologic Technology/CIP 51.0907
Science - Radiation Therapist 4,302 graduates / yr212 institutions44 states - Athletic Training/CIP 51.0913
Trainer 3,326 graduates / yr302 institutions49 states - Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09992,359 graduates / yr80 institutions27 states
- Cardiovascular Technology/CIP 51.0901
Technologist 1,902 graduates / yr91 institutions34 states - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology/CIP 51.0920
Technician 1,327 graduates / yr62 institutions28 states - Electrocardiograph Technology/CIP 51.0902
Technician 858 graduates / yr43 institutions17 states - Nuclear Medical Technology/CIP 51.0905
Technologist 707 graduates / yr69 institutions36 states - Electroneurodiagnostic/CIP 51.0903
Electroencephalographic Technology/ Technologist 302 graduates / yr31 institutions18 states - PolysomnographyCIP 51.0917242 graduates / yr25 institutions16 states
- Perfusion Technology/CIP 51.0906
Perfusionist 171 graduates / yr14 institutions12 states - Gene/CIP 51.0914
Genetic Therapy partial data92 graduates / yr3 institutions3 states - Mammography Technology/CIP 51.0919
Technician 87 graduates / yr18 institutions12 states - Radiation Protection/CIP 51.0916
Health Physics Technician partial data62 graduates / yr5 institutions5 states - Cardiopulmonary Technology/CIP 51.0915
Technologist partial data51 graduates / yr4 institutions3 states - Orthopedic Technology/CIP 51.0923
Technician New in CIP 2020limited data22 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states - Hearing Instrument SpecialistCIP 51.0918limited data4 graduates / yr1 institutions1 states
Show all 24 codes (2 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Hyperbaric Medicine Technology/
Technician51.0921 - Intraoperative Neuromonitoring Technology/
Technician51.0922
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 52 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2032, Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Allied Health Diagnostic program can pursue careers in various specializations such as Cardiovascular Technology and Emergency Medical Technology. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 13% and approximately 5,800 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $89,340, typically requiring an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Allied Health Diagnostic
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 51.09.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 51.09 (Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions) maps to 19 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 19-4051 | Nuclear Technicians |
| 19-5012 | Occupational Health and Safety Technicians |
| 25-1071 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 29-1071 | Physician Assistants |
| 29-1124 | Radiation Therapists |
| 29-1126 | Respiratory Therapists |
| 29-2031 | Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians |
| 29-2032 | Diagnostic Medical Sonographersprimary |
| 29-2033 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists |
| 29-2034 | Radiologic Technologists and Technicians |
| 29-2035 | Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists |
| 29-2036 | Medical Dosimetrists |
| 29-2042 | Emergency Medical Technicians |
| 29-2043 | Paramedics |
| 29-2055 | Surgical Technologists |
| 29-2092 | Hearing Aid Specialists |
| 29-2099 | Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other |
| 29-9091 | Athletic Trainers |
| 29-9093 | Surgical Assistants |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Allied Health Diagnostic programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Observe screen during scan to ensure that image produced is satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, making adjustments to equipment as required.
- Observe and care for patients throughout examinations to ensure their safety and comfort.
- Provide sonogram and oral or written summary of technical findings to physician for use in medical diagnosis.
- Select appropriate equipment settings and adjust patient positions to obtain the best sites and angles.
- Operate ultrasound equipment to produce and record images of the motion, shape, and composition of blood, organs, tissues, or bodily masses, such as fluid accumulations.
- Decide which images to include, looking for differences between healthy and pathological areas.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Allied Health Diagnostic program?+
The program focuses on diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services in healthcare.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and operating diagnostic equipment.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 13% and about 5,800 annual openings.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most positions in this field require an associate's degree.
How much do Allied Health Diagnostic graduates earn?+
Allied Health Diagnostic graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $54,068, College Scorecard (2019); the Diagnostic Medical Sonographers occupation pays about $97,240 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Allied Health Diagnostic?+
Allied Health Diagnostic maps to CIP 51.09 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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