Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,016
Est. from national median (196 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,080
Est. from national median (104 programs)

Analysis

Dental hygiene and dental assisting programs at community colleges typically offer strong career prospects, and the estimated numbers here suggest College of Southern Nevada follows that pattern. Based on national benchmarks for similar programs, graduates likely enter the workforce around $55,000, climbing to over $71,000 by year four—a meaningful jump that reflects how dental support roles reward experience and expanded responsibilities. With estimated debt around $17,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 puts this squarely in comfortable territory compared to many healthcare training programs.

The four-year earnings figure of $71,702 is actual reported data for this program, which provides concrete evidence that graduates who stay in the field see real income growth. Las Vegas's healthcare market, driven by a large service-sector workforce needing dental care, likely supports demand for these roles. The estimated first-year figure aligns with what dental assistants and hygienists typically earn nationally, suggesting the program prepares students for standard entry-level positions.

For parents weighing this investment, the math works: modest debt that graduates should be able to manage on starting salaries, with clear earning potential as skills develop. The caveat is that we're relying on peer program data for the initial picture, so your child should connect with the program to understand job placement specifics and whether graduates tend toward dental assisting (lower pay) or hygiene (higher pay) roles.

Where College of Southern Nevada Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
College of Southern Nevada$71,702
Chabot College$85,175$87,048+2%
Shoreline Community College$78,372$76,105-3%
Northern Virginia Community College$70,727$75,837+7%
Fortis Institute-Wayne$70,276$74,566+6%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas$4,110$55,016*$71,702$17,080*
Chabot CollegeHayward$1,150$85,175*$87,048*
Shoreline Community CollegeShoreline$4,388$78,372*$76,105$27,250*0.35
Community College of DenverDenver$4,902$76,712*$62,109$29,472*0.38
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
National Median$55,016*$19,309*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with dental support services and allied professions graduates

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

$94,260/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Dental Assistants

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

$47,300/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

$45,820/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 College of Southern Nevada, approximately 30% 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 national median of 196 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.