Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Fortis College-Baton Rouge

Fortis College-Baton Rouge's dental support certificate outperforms 95% of similar Louisiana programs, posting first-year earnings of $31,554—roughly 67% above the state median of $18,924. Even nationally, this ranks in the 93rd percentile, beating the typical program by over $6,000 annually. For a field where many Louisiana schools struggle to place graduates above $22,000, these outcomes are exceptional.

The debt load deserves attention: at $13,000, it's more than double Louisiana's median for this program and above the national median as well. However, at a 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates still earn roughly $2.40 for every dollar borrowed in their first year—a manageable burden. The real concern is the earnings decline to $29,637 by year four, suggesting graduates may hit their peak quickly or face competition from lower-paid dental assistants. Still, even these later earnings exceed what most Louisiana programs achieve initially.

Given that 88% of students receive Pell grants, this program clearly serves economically vulnerable students and delivers strong relative returns. If your child is committed to dental assisting, Fortis provides a fast path to earnings that substantially exceed Louisiana alternatives. Just ensure they understand that career growth may plateau early, making those first few years of higher earnings critical for paying down debt quickly.