The cost elements were identified and a methodology developed to analyze the total costs of allied health education programs and the cost per student for purposes of planning the allocation of scarce resources. The study was conducted by the Ohio State University School of Allied Medical Professions and focused on the following 10 allied health professions: Circulation Technology; Medical Communications; Medical Dietetics; Medical Illustrations; Medical Record Administration; Medical Technology; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Radiologic Technology; and Respiratory Technology. Emphasis was on the curricula of the programs involved, activity of faculty members in each of the 10 programs, the clinical preceptor activities, the cost of the clinical component of the total educational program, and the identification and allocation of costs to related programs. Major elements examined in the cost analysis were: program description, student enrollment, faculty, and total program costs. One of the many conclusions reached was that the student contact hours, student enrollment and faculty-student group size are essentially "demand"-related factors, while elements such as faculty contact hours, faculty-student ratios, faculty availability and faculty requirements are "supply"-related factors. It is suggested that the methodology applied in this study should be applicable to similar cost evaluations in other institutions as well as serving as a catalyst for future study. Selected references, a glossary of terms, and questionnaires are appended. (LC)