Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Fortis College-Montgomery

Fortis College-Montgomery's dental support certificate sits squarely in the middle of Alabama's options but trails the national market. At $22,821 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $2,500 less than the typical dental support program nationally, landing this program at the 25th percentile. Within Alabama, it performs slightly better—hitting the 40th percentile—but that's largely because Alabama's dental support programs collectively underperform the national average. The top program in the state, Fortis Institute-Birmingham, produces graduates earning nearly $9,000 more.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $12,330, it's above the national median but represents just over half of first-year earnings, making the loan manageable if graduates land steady work. The 9% earnings growth to year four shows income stability rather than dramatic advancement—graduates can expect to reach about $24,767, still well below what dental support professionals earn in stronger markets.

For families considering this program, understand you're choosing from limited in-state options in a field where Alabama wages lag behind. If your child can access the Birmingham campus instead, that's worth exploring. Otherwise, this certificate gets you into the workforce with reasonable debt, but you're accepting below-average earning potential in exchange for quick entry into healthcare work. The 84% Pell grant rate suggests this serves primarily students with few alternatives—it's functional training, not an optimal investment.