Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at First Institute of Travel Inc.

At $26,773 in starting salary, this dental support program lands squarely in the middle nationally but trails the Illinois median by about $1,400. That 40th percentile ranking among Illinois programs is notable—while you're avoiding the bottom tier, your child would start behind most peers at other Illinois schools. The state's leader, Lewis and Clark Community College, places graduates at double this program's starting salary, though that likely reflects a different dental specialty focus.

The financial picture itself is manageable: $9,500 in debt against $26,773 in earnings means your child could reasonably pay this off within a year or two of aggressive saving. The 21% earnings growth to $32,278 by year four suggests steady career progression, which matters in healthcare support roles where experience builds value. Over half of students here receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves working-class families successfully.

The real question is whether this represents the best use of time and money in Illinois. With 14 dental programs in the state, and this one ranking below the middle, it's worth comparing options. If location in Crystal Lake is essential and your child needs to stay close to home, the low debt burden makes this workable. But if flexibility exists, exploring programs that place graduates closer to that $28,000-$30,000 range would provide a stronger starting position without materially more debt.