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St Petersburg College delivers an unusual financial advantage for dental support students, with a net cost of negative $52 that essentially pays students to attend. This stark contrast with the national average reflects Florida's aggressive workforce development funding in healthcare fields. Across the 20 most affordable programs, costs range from this negative figure to $10,402, while graduates earn between $39,369 and $63,005 annually. The dental support field benefits from strong job growth in states like Nevada and Washington, where aging populations drive demand for dental services. College of Southern Nevada graduates command the highest salaries at $63,005, nearly 60% more than Utah Valley University graduates who earn $39,369. Community colleges dominate this affordable market, with schools like Foothill College achieving 60% graduation rates while maintaining low costs. The geographic spread spans from California's Silicon Valley to Indiana's industrial corridor, reflecting the universal need for trained dental assistants and hygienists across varied regional healthcare markets.
50
Programs
$-52 – $15,001
Net Price Range
$53,639
Avg. Program Earnings
44.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $5,886 $5,156 39.8%
3 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
4 $6,329 $4,110 17.9%
5 $6,588 $2,944 20.8%
6 $7,131 $1,238 21.4%
7 $7,457 $3,144 28.2%
8 $7,549 $1,565 60.0%
9 $8,302 $6,194 27.7%
10 $8,364 $8,179 35.7% 86.9%
11 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
12 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
13 $9,431 $4,902 15.8%
14 $9,826 $4,632 35.7%
15 $9,924 $3,112 26.7%
16 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
17 $10,097 $6,906 37.0%
18 $10,123 $4,686 31.2%
19 $10,145 $5,068 35.4% 56.3%
20 $10,402 $5,163 33.8%
21 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
22 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
23 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
24 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
25 $11,063 $4,883 37.5%
26 $11,353 $8,618 23.3%
27 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
28 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
29 $11,633 $9,190 50.6% 70.1%
30 $11,653 $8,400 38.3% 99.5%
31 $11,779 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
32 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
33 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
34 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
35 $12,621 $10,136 52.0% 94.4%
36 $12,837 $11,988 55.9% 69.5%
37 $12,983 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
38 $12,997 $9,648 61.2% 88.4%
39 $13,091 $8,353 47.2% 96.1%
40 $13,164 $9,412 68.5% 97.4%
41 $13,181 $12,186 62.6% 72.8%
42 $13,347 $8,122 48.6% 85.5%
43 $13,485 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
44 $13,776 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
45 $13,780 $7,566 28.9% 65.3%
46 $14,170 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
47 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
48 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
49 $14,922 $12,652 56.9% 80.0%
50 $15,001 $8,689 44.1% 94.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains St Petersburg College's negative net cost of $52?

St Petersburg College receives substantial state and federal financial aid that covers tuition and provides additional support for living expenses. Florida's workforce development initiatives target healthcare fields with high job demand. Students often receive Pell Grants, state scholarships, and institutional aid that exceed the $2,682 in-state tuition. The negative net cost means eligible students receive more financial aid than their educational expenses.

How do graduation rates compare between the most affordable programs?

Graduation rates vary significantly among affordable dental support programs, ranging from 15.8% at Community College of Denver to 60% at Foothill College. Indiana University campuses show consistent performance with Northwest at 39.8% and South Bend at 35.7%. The 20.8% rate at Georgia Highlands College reflects typical community college completion challenges. Four-year institutions like Farmingdale State College achieve higher completion rates at 57.1%.

Does geographic location impact earning potential for dental support graduates?

Geographic location significantly affects earning potential, with Nevada leading at $63,005 for College of Southern Nevada graduates. Washington state graduates from Clark College earn $60,320, reflecting higher costs of living in the Pacific Northwest. Indiana University graduates earn between $45,500 and $48,198 in the Midwest. Utah Valley University graduates earn the lowest at $39,369, though Utah's lower cost of living partially offsets this difference.

What debt levels should students expect from these affordable programs?

Student debt remains manageable across affordable dental support programs, ranging from $11,000 at Foothill College to $23,000 at Lake Washington Institute of Technology. Most programs keep debt below $20,000, with Indiana University campuses averaging around $17,500 to $21,500. St Petersburg College graduates carry $17,428 in debt despite the negative net cost. These debt levels represent strong value given the earning potential in dental support fields.

How competitive are admissions for these affordable dental support programs?

Most affordable dental support programs maintain open or moderately selective admissions policies. Indiana University-South Bend accepts 86.88% of applicants, while Indiana University-Northwest accepts 80.31%. Farmingdale State College proves most selective at 73.17% acceptance. Community colleges typically offer open enrollment for basic programs, though competitive dental hygiene tracks may require separate applications. Many programs emphasize prerequisite completion over standardized test scores.

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