Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Ferris State University

Ferris State's dental support program graduates earn more than most comparable Michigan programs—ranking in the 60th percentile statewide—but students here carry nearly 50% more debt than the state median ($26,470 vs. $17,800). That debt load becomes problematic when you factor in the earnings trajectory: graduates start at $49,748 but see their income drop to $46,067 by year four, a 7% decline that's unusual in healthcare fields. Compare this to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where grads earn $52,947 with likely lower debt as a community college.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53 is manageable—graduates owe about half their first-year salary—but you're essentially paying university prices for outcomes that barely exceed what community colleges deliver. The earnings decline suggests these jobs may hit a ceiling quickly, or that some graduates shift to lower-paying roles after gaining experience. Either way, the four-year outlook is weaker than the initial numbers suggest.

For parents: if your child is set on Ferris specifically, this program won't bury them in debt, but cheaper in-state alternatives deliver comparable or better results. The extra $8,000-10,000 in debt doesn't appear justified by the outcomes, especially given the backward earnings momentum. Community college programs in this field often provide better return on investment.