Skip to main content

Best Value Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

St Petersburg College delivers an extraordinary financial advantage for dental support students, actually paying them $52 after federal aid to pursue their education while graduates earn $55,512 annually. This stark contrast highlights how dental support programs can operate as financial engines rather than debt generators. The field benefits from steady demand across healthcare systems, with dental practices expanding services and requiring skilled support staff for everything from radiology to patient management. College of Southern Nevada graduates command $63,005 in median earnings, reflecting the solid job market in Nevada's growing healthcare sector. At the other end, programs like University of Hawaii at Manoa cost $13,181 annually but produce the highest-earning graduates at $65,486. Texas Woman's University stands out with a 44.2% graduation rate, well above the field average, while maintaining reasonable costs at $10,948 net price. Public institutions dominate these rankings, with in-state tuition ranging from $2,682 to $12,186, making dental support education accessible across different state funding models.
50
Programs
$-52 – $36,836
Net Price Range
$55,066
Avg. Program Earnings
55.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $55,512 $2,682 37.5%
2 $6,329 $63,005 $4,110 17.9%
3 $5,970 $45,500 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
4 $9,826 $60,320 $4,632 35.7%
5 $8,364 $48,198 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
6 $10,097 $55,964 $6,906 37.0%
7 $10,948 $59,124 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
8 $10,145 $52,607 $5,068 35.4% 56.3%
9 $11,882 $61,516 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
10 $13,181 $65,486 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
11 $11,779 $58,402 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
12 $11,633 $57,318 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
13 $13,091 $62,707 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
14 $12,997 $61,814 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
15 $12,837 $60,399 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
16 $8,463 $39,369 $6,270 40.7%
17 $12,202 $55,693 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
18 $12,621 $54,880 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
19 $12,983 $53,775 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
20 $14,922 $61,110 $12,652 56.9% 80.0%
21 $14,170 $57,770 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
22 $16,391 $65,320 $12,687 59.1% 92.6%
23 $10,916 $43,054 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
24 $11,513 $45,305 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
25 $17,413 $66,461 $9,595 75.3% 72.9%
26 $13,347 $50,856 $8,122 48.6% 85.5%
27 $13,164 $49,019 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
28 $11,877 $42,892 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
29 $17,139 $59,576 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
30 $13,776 $47,494 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
31 $14,832 $50,856 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
32 $19,452 $66,073 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
33 $10,722 $35,594 $6,391 43.0%
34 $18,609 $58,447 $9,490 54.1% 70.7%
35 $15,265 $47,394 $6,074 34.2%
36 $18,292 $56,068 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
37 $16,177 $49,312 $13,244 56.3% 91.5%
38 $17,478 $52,107 $8,115 52.5% 96.1%
39 $16,179 $48,041 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
40 $15,794 $45,852 $9,950 49.9% 85.3%
41 $17,634 $50,760 $12,828 60.7% 81.5%
42 $19,155 $54,252 $9,432 61.4% 99.5%
43 $20,924 $57,995 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
44 $17,324 $47,729 $8,356 38.3%
45 $24,786 $59,576 $35,760 48.1% 81.5%
46 $31,927 $74,845 $68,237 92.0% 12.0%
47 $16,295 $32,925 $8,732 60.6% 74.1%
48 $35,350 $71,015 $54,466 64.8% 92.3%
49 $36,836 $71,015 $22,685 64.3%
50 $35,084 $63,005 $38,850 63.3% 88.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College such an unusual financial opportunity?

St Petersburg College provides students with a negative net price of $52, meaning federal aid exceeds the cost of attendance by that amount. Graduates earn a median salary of $55,512 with manageable debt of $17,428. This combination creates one of the strongest return-on-investment scenarios available in dental support education. The 37.5% graduation rate aligns with field averages while delivering strong financial outcomes.

How do earnings compare across different geographic regions?

Western states generally offer higher salaries, with University of Hawaii graduates earning $65,486 and College of Southern Nevada graduates making $63,005. Midwest programs like Indiana University-Northwest produce lower earnings at $45,500, reflecting regional cost of living differences. Eastern Washington University graduates earn $62,707, demonstrating strong Pacific Northwest opportunities. These regional variations often correlate with local healthcare market density and state dental practice regulations.

Is graduation rate a reliable predictor of program quality?

Graduation rates vary significantly, from 17.9% at College of Southern Nevada to 62.6% at University of Hawaii at Manoa. Texas Woman's University achieves 44.2% completion with strong earnings of $59,124, suggesting effective student support systems. University of Wyoming combines a 59.8% graduation rate with the lowest debt burden at $7,500. Higher rates often indicate better academic support but don't always correlate with superior earning potential.

Does program cost predict future earning potential?

The relationship between cost and earnings proves surprisingly weak in dental support programs. University of Hawaii charges $13,181 but produces the highest earners at $65,486, while affordable Indiana University-Northwest costs $5,970 but graduates earn only $45,500. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith demonstrates the sweet spot at $10,097 cost with $55,964 earnings. Regional job markets appear more influential than program expense in determining graduate salaries.

Where do acceptance rates impact program accessibility?

Most dental support programs maintain high acceptance rates, with University of Wyoming accepting 95.98% of applicants and Eastern Washington accepting 96.12%. Clayton State University operates more selectively at 56.32% acceptance while maintaining competitive outcomes. University of Missouri-Kansas City accepts 69.48% of students but achieves strong graduation rates of 55.9%. These accessible admission standards reflect industry demand for qualified dental support professionals across various specializations.

More Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Rankings

Cheapest Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Under $20,000

Related

All Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.