Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Dorsey College-Dearborn

Dorsey College-Dearborn's dental support certificate leaves graduates earning just $18,208 in their first year—roughly $5,000 below other Michigan programs and $7,000 below the national median. That's concerning on its own, but the comparison to other Michigan schools makes it worse: Washtenaw Community College graduates earn more than double at $37,428. Even allowing for the 20% earnings growth by year four, graduates still trail the state median significantly.

The $13,000 debt load sits above both state and national averages for this credential, which shouldn't happen given the program's poor earnings outcomes. While the 0.71 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, it's based on near-poverty-level wages—at $18,208, graduates earn less than full-time work at $15/hour would provide. With 84% of students receiving Pell grants, this program is serving a predominantly low-income population that can't afford to gamble on credentials that underperform.

For Michigan families, this is a clear case where the institution matters enormously. Community colleges like Washtenaw or Northwestern Michigan offer the same credential with dramatically better outcomes and likely lower costs. Unless there are compelling geographic or personal circumstances, this program represents a poor investment compared to readily available alternatives within the state.