Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Community Care College

Community Care College's dental support certificate delivers solid value in Oklahoma's market, with graduates earning around $26,300 in their first year—roughly 16% above the state median for similar programs and placing it in the 60th percentile statewide. The $8,513 in typical debt is also notably lower than both state and national benchmarks, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 that most graduates should be able to manage within their first year of work.

The tradeoff here is limited income growth. Earnings inch up just 3% to $27,000 by year four, suggesting these roles have fairly defined salary ceilings. That said, for a certificate program serving a substantial population of Pell Grant students (50%), the combination of below-average debt and above-median Oklahoma earnings makes this a practical pathway into dental office work. The faster you can complete the credential and start earning, the better the return, since the salary gains over time are modest.

For parents of students interested in dental assisting or similar support roles, this program offers reasonable entry economics—you're not taking on crushing debt for a first-year salary that exceeds what most Oklahoma programs deliver. Just understand you're buying job access rather than a high-growth career track.