Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Albany Technical College

Albany Technical College's dental support program punches above its weight, delivering earnings that outpace three-quarters of similar programs nationally and placing it among Georgia's top earners for this credential—just behind Augusta Technical College's $28,949. At $28,683 in first-year earnings, graduates here earn roughly $1,800 more than the Georgia median and $3,400 more than the national typical program.

The debt picture looks equally promising. With $9,920 in median debt, graduates carry a manageable loan burden that results in a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio—meaning loans equal just over four months of income. That's better than about 76% of similar programs nationally. For context, this is far below the concerning threshold where debt becomes difficult to manage on a dental assistant's salary.

The main caveat: these results come from a small graduating class (under 30 students), so individual outcomes can vary more than at larger programs. Still, for families considering dental support training in Southwest Georgia, this program delivers competitive outcomes at modest cost. The fact that 62% of students receive Pell grants suggests the school successfully serves lower-income students while maintaining strong earnings outcomes—a combination worth noting in a field where quick, affordable credentialing matters.