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Tennessee State University stands out with the state's most affordable dental support program at just $10,026 net cost, nearly $8,000 less than the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. This price difference matters in a state where healthcare giants like HCA Healthcare create steady demand for dental assistants and hygienists across Tennessee's major medical centers. Five schools offer these programs with costs ranging from $10,026 to $18,109, while graduates can expect earnings around $45,852 annually.
5
Programs
$10,026 – $18,109
Net Price Range
$45,852
Avg. Program Earnings
47.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,026 $8,568 33.0%
2 $14,879 $29,264 43.6% 60.7%
3 $15,794 $9,950 49.9% 85.3%
4 $17,182 $17,935 36.7%
5 $18,109 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $8,000 cost difference between Tennessee's cheapest and most expensive dental support programs?

Tennessee State University offers the lowest net cost at $10,026 compared to UT-Knoxville's $18,109, primarily due to different institutional funding models and financial aid packages. Public schools like TSU and East Tennessee State University generally provide lower costs for in-state students, with ETSU charging just $9,950 in tuition and fees.

How do graduation rates vary among Tennessee's dental support programs?

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville leads with a 73.5% graduation rate, significantly higher than Tennessee State University's 33% rate. East Tennessee State University maintains a solid 49.9% graduation rate while offering the second-lowest net cost at $15,794.

Does Tennessee's no-income-tax policy affect dental support career prospects?

Tennessee's lack of state income tax means dental support graduates keep more of their $45,852 average salary compared to other states. The Tennessee Promise program also covers community college tuition, though none of the five dental support programs currently operate at community college level.

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