Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Herzing University-Minneapolis

Herzing University-Minneapolis graduates from this dental support certificate start strong at $41,499—well above Minnesota's median of $38,266 and crushing the national median of $25,255. But here's the problem: by year four, earnings crater to $27,192, a 34% drop that erases most of the initial advantage. You're paying $18,624 in debt (nearly double the state median) for what might be temporary contract positions or roles that don't lead to career advancement.

The numbers get more concerning when you look at Minnesota's dental support landscape. Dakota County Technical College graduates earn $45,670, and their students likely carry less debt for a public college education. Herzing ranks in the 60th percentile statewide—middle of the pack—while charging premium tuition that results in debt levels in the 95th percentile nationally. That's an uncomfortable mismatch for a certificate program where earnings should be relatively stable over time.

For a dental assistant or related support role, you want training that leads to steady employment, not a peak followed by a sharp decline. The debt-to-initial-earnings ratio of 0.45 looks manageable at first glance, but it deteriorates rapidly as income drops. If your child needs flexibility around Herzing's schedule, make sure they understand they're paying significantly more than public alternatives that appear to offer better long-term outcomes.