Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie

This program sits in a challenging middle ground: while graduates earn below national averages for dental support roles, they're roughly in line with Texas norms and show meaningful income growth over time. First-year earnings of $21,086 land at the 16th percentile nationally but the 40th percentile within Texas, where the market for these positions appears softer. By year four, earnings reach $26,410—a 25% increase that suggests graduates gain traction with experience, though they still trail top Texas programs by $2,000-$3,000.

The debt load of $9,500 is manageable relative to starting income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45. This is standard for the field nationally and slightly above Texas's typical debt level. With 75% of students receiving Pell grants, this program primarily serves students who need affordable entry into healthcare work. The real question is opportunity cost: other Texas dental support programs deliver 25-30% higher starting salaries, which compounds over a career.

If your child needs open admission access and can't relocate, this provides a pathway into dental assisting with debt they can reasonably handle. But if they can access programs in Austin, Dallas, or cities with Pima Medical Institute campuses, the earnings premium there—nearly $8,000 more at year four—justifies the effort. The growth trajectory is encouraging, but starting lower means catching up takes years.