Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Florida Career College-Jacksonville

Florida Career College-Jacksonville's dental support program serves predominantly low-income students (74% on Pell grants) and gets them into the workforce with manageable debt—just $9,500. However, the earnings picture reveals a significant gap: graduates here earn $24,595, while the state's top programs produce graduates earning $30,000-$32,000. That's a difference of roughly $6,000-$7,000 annually, which compounds quickly over a career. The 60th percentile ranking among Florida programs confirms this sits solidly in the middle tier.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means graduates owe less than five months of income, which is reasonable for any credential. The challenge isn't the debt load—it's whether these earnings justify even a short-term certificate when public options like Daytona State College deliver 30% higher starting salaries with similar debt levels. For a family where every dollar counts, that earnings gap matters.

If this is the most accessible option geographically or financially, the numbers work well enough to move forward. But if your child can access one of Florida's stronger dental programs—particularly the public technical colleges—the evidence suggests they should seriously consider those alternatives. The credential gets you hired; the program quality determines what you're paid.