Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Fox College

Fox College graduates earning nearly $58,000 just one year out matches the Illinois median exactly, placing this program squarely in the middle of the pack statewide. You're paying about $6,400 more in debt than the typical Illinois dental support graduate, though that's still modest in absolute terms—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 means your child could theoretically pay off the entire loan balance in roughly four months of gross income.

The real question is whether Fox College justifies its premium over community colleges. Programs at College of Lake County and Rock Valley College produce higher earners ($63K and $60K respectively) while charging significantly less. Nearly half of Fox College students qualify for Pell grants, suggesting the school serves working families, but those families might stretch their dollars further at a nearby community college offering the same credential.

With dental hygienists and assistants in steady demand across the Chicago suburbs, this program won't derail your child's finances. The debt is manageable and the earnings are respectable. But unless Fox College offers scheduling flexibility or specific employer connections that community colleges don't, you're essentially paying extra for convenience rather than better outcomes.