Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Carrington College-San Leandro Campus

Carrington College's dental support program outperforms most competitors, ranking in the 73rd percentile nationally and 60th percentile among California's 96 programs. With first-year earnings of $28,060—well above both national ($25,255) and state medians ($24,628)—graduates start with a meaningful income advantage. The debt load of $9,151 is reasonable, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33.

The program shows solid fundamentals: earnings grow 11% over four years to $31,230, and the debt burden sits near typical levels for this field. While top California programs like Cabrillo College produce much higher earners, those likely require different time commitments or have more competitive admission. Among accessible options, Carrington performs respectably, though programs at Cerritos College and several others do generate slightly higher earnings.

For families considering dental assistant or support roles, this program offers a practical pathway into healthcare with predictable outcomes. The numbers suggest graduates can service their debt comfortably while building toward stable middle-income careers. Given the robust sample size and the school's 59% Pell Grant population, these earnings reflect realistic expectations for working-class students entering this field.