Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Carrington College-Boise

Carrington College-Boise graduates enter dental support roles earning about $61,000—roughly $6,000 above the national median and landing in the 75th percentile nationally. That's solid performance for an associate's degree. The catch is the price: at $31,341 in debt, students are paying 62% more than the national typical debt load for this program. With only four schools offering this program in Idaho, you're looking at limited in-state options, but this premium cost demands scrutiny.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51 means graduates face manageable but not insignificant loan burdens—about half a year's salary. What's more concerning is the flat earnings trajectory: incomes essentially don't grow over the first four years, suggesting this field may have limited advancement opportunities without additional credentials. For context, nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, indicating many families are taking on this debt without substantial financial cushion.

The math works if your child wants to enter dental support work quickly with above-average starting pay. But compare this carefully against lower-cost community college options that might lead to similar roles. That $12,000 debt difference could matter significantly for a graduate earning $60,000 and seeing minimal raises over time.