Analysis
Dental support programs in California command some of the strongest earnings in the nation, and this program appears positioned right at the state median of roughly $70,500. That's substantially higher than the national typical outcome of $55,000, reflecting California's robust dental industry and higher cost of living. With estimated debt around $17,000—well below both state and national averages—similar programs produce a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning graduates would owe about three months of their first-year salary.
The caveat here is transparency: because Chaffey's graduate sample was too small for the Department of Education to publish outcomes, these figures draw from nine comparable dental support programs across California for earnings and over 100 similar associate programs nationally for debt. The state comparison shows a wide range, with top performers like Chabot College reporting graduates earning $85,000 while others cluster near $70,000. Where Chaffey's actual graduates land within that spread remains unknown without more data.
For parents weighing this investment, the estimated numbers suggest manageable debt paired with solid earning potential in California's dental market. The risk lies in not knowing whether this specific program's outcomes match the state median or fall short. If your student is committed to dental support work and plans to stay in California, the financial picture looks reasonable—but recognize you're making this decision with borrowed confidence from peer schools rather than Chaffey's track record.
Where Chaffey College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in California (45 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chaffey CollegeRancho Cucamonga | $1,184 | $70,541* | — | $17,080* | — |
 Chabot CollegeHayward | $1,150 | $85,175* | $87,048 | —* | — |
 Concorde Career College-San BernardinoSan Bernardino | — | $73,660* | $58,500 | $26,125* | 0.35 |
| Concorde Career College-Garden GroveGarden Grove | — | $72,160* | $58,230 | $29,176* | 0.40 |
| Concorde Career College-San DiegoSan Diego | — | $70,807* | $56,906 | $26,125* | 0.37 |
 Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento | — | $70,541* | $63,413 | $32,350* | 0.46 |
| National Median | — | $55,016* | — | $19,309* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with dental support services and allied professions graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Chaffey College, approximately 28% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.