Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Concorde Career College-Southaven

Concorde Career College-Southaven's dental support program lands squarely in the middle of Mississippi's offerings—it ties for the state median—but significantly underperforms the national landscape, where it ranks in just the 12th percentile. With first-year earnings of $20,285, graduates earn about $5,000 less annually than the typical dental assistant nationwide, though the modest debt load of $10,782 keeps the financial burden manageable at roughly half a year's starting salary.

The 31% earnings growth to $26,522 by year four offers some reassurance, bringing graduates closer to national norms over time. Still, even after four years, these earnings lag behind what most programs deliver immediately. For Mississippi families—where 79% of students receive Pell grants—this represents an accessible entry point to healthcare work, but parents should recognize their graduate will likely start near minimum wage equivalent in a field that typically pays better elsewhere.

The real question is opportunity cost: this certificate takes time and $11,000 to complete for earnings that Delta Technical College delivers with similar training. If your child is committed to staying in Mississippi and needs quick workforce entry, this works as a backup option. But if mobility or stronger initial earnings matter, either pursuing Delta Tech or considering programs in neighboring states with higher dental support wages would likely yield better returns on the same investment.