Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,792
Est. from NC median (8 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,080
Est. from national median (104 programs)

Analysis

North Carolina's dental support programs cluster tightly around $55,000-60,000 in first-year earnings, and peer programs across the state suggest Fayetteville Tech's program falls squarely in this range. With an estimated debt load of $17,080—well below both the state median of $27,000 and the national figure of $19,000—this program offers a more manageable debt burden than most comparable options. That 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly three months' salary, a level that shouldn't strain household budgets even in the early years.

The earnings trajectory tells an important story: similar programs show modest growth from $55,792 to $57,628 between years one and four. This isn't a field where income jumps dramatically with experience, but it does offer stability. Dental hygiene and dental assisting positions tend to follow predictable salary scales, and these figures reflect that reality. For a two-year degree, breaking into the mid-$50,000s immediately is solid, though families should understand this is likely close to the ceiling without additional credentials or moving into specialized dental practice roles.

The estimated debt advantage here matters more than the earnings difference between schools. Whether a graduate earns $55,000 or $60,000, they're entering a stable healthcare field with manageable debt—the kind of outcome that lets someone build financial security rather than just service loans.

Where Fayetteville Technical Community College Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Fayetteville Technical Community College$57,628
Coastal Carolina Community College$50,081$59,446+19%
Guilford Technical Community College$59,473$55,109-7%
Central Piedmont Community College$56,456$52,864-6%
Catawba Valley Community College$55,128$49,214-11%

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Fayetteville Technical Community CollegeFayetteville$2,628$55,792*$57,628$17,080*
Central Carolina Community CollegeSanford$2,554$60,458**
Guilford Technical Community CollegeJamestown$2,319$59,473*$55,109$13,212*0.22
Forsyth Technical Community CollegeWinston-Salem$2,256$56,717**
Central Piedmont Community CollegeCharlotte$2,792$56,456*$52,864*
Catawba Valley Community CollegeHickory$2,367$55,128*$49,214*
National Median$55,016*$19,309*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Fayetteville Technical Community College, approximately 34% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 8 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.