Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Carrington College-Tucson

Carrington College-Tucson's dental assistant program hits the sweet spot of decent earnings with manageable debt. Starting salaries of $26,485 land graduates right at the Arizona median—essentially matching what half the state's dental support programs deliver—while keeping debt below $9,000. That 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly four months of their first year's salary, a reasonable burden for someone entering the workforce quickly with a certificate.

The program performs solidly but not spectacularly. It ranks at the 60th percentile both nationally and within Arizona, meaning it outperforms many competitors but falls short of the top-tier programs like Pima Medical Institute locations, where graduates earn $1,000-$3,500 more annually. The 6% earnings bump from year one to year four suggests steady but modest income growth—not the trajectory you'd want for a four-year degree investment, but appropriate for a certificate program designed for immediate employment.

For families seeking an affordable entry into healthcare, particularly those qualifying for Pell grants (61% of students here do), this represents a practical path. Your child won't be a high earner, but they'll start working quickly with debt they can realistically repay. Just understand you're paying for access and convenience rather than premium outcomes—if your student can access one of the Pima locations instead, they'd likely see better returns.