Median Earnings (1yr)
$72,908
94th percentile
Median Debt
$15,528
38% below national median

Analysis

Farmingdale State's dental support program reports extraordinary outcomes—$72,908 in first-year earnings against just $15,528 in debt—but these numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, which demands skepticism. Still, even if actual performance is somewhat lower, the fundamentals look solid: graduates earn 21% more than the national median for this field, carry half the typical debt load, and face a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21. That's roughly three months of income to pay off loans, compared to the five months you'd expect nationally.

The real question mark is New York's landscape. With only four schools offering this bachelor's degree statewide and Farmingdale sitting at the 60th percentile for earnings, there's likely one or two programs delivering even stronger results—though we're dealing with such small cohorts that rankings may reflect individual circumstances more than program quality. What's clear: this field pays well in New York, with the state median matching Farmingdale's numbers exactly.

For families who can access SUNY tuition rates, this represents minimal financial risk. The modest debt load means even if your child's earnings land 20% below these reported figures, they'd still face manageable repayment. Just recognize you're making a decision with limited data—talk to current students and recent graduates to verify these outcomes reflect a pattern, not an outlier cohort.

Where Farmingdale State College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Farmingdale State College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

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

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale$8,576$72,908—$15,5280.21
Foothill CollegeLos Altos Hills$1,565$81,255—$17,2850.21
Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyKirkland$5,156$77,431—$23,7500.31
Pacific UniversityForest Grove$54,466$76,060$75,779$28,3750.37
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences CenterOklahoma City—$75,367$65,925$20,9900.28
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman$9,595$75,367$65,925$20,9900.28
National Median—$60,170—$25,0000.42

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 Farmingdale State College, approximately 36% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.