Analysis
A $13,500 debt load for dental assistant training represents a relatively manageable investment, particularly when Illinois programs in this field consistently produce stronger earnings than the national median. While both the earnings and debt figures here are drawn from comparable Illinois programs rather than John A Logan's specific graduates, the state's dental support market shows encouraging consistency—nine programs across Illinois cluster around $58,000 in first-year earnings, well above the $55,000 national benchmark.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23 suggests graduates could reasonably pay off their loans within a few years while building toward higher mid-career earnings typical in dental support roles. Illinois dental assistants appear to benefit from stronger market conditions than their peers nationwide, with median debt running about $6,000 lower than the national figure while earnings run higher. That said, top programs in the state like College of Lake County push closer to $63,000, so there's meaningful variation even within Illinois.
For an anxious parent, the key question is whether this specific program delivers outcomes in line with its state peers. The estimates suggest dental support training in Illinois generally offers solid value, but without actual graduate data from John A Logan, you're betting on the school performing at the state median rather than knowing where it actually lands in that range.
Where John A Logan College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,630 | $57,717* | — | $13,521* | — | |
| $4,494 | $63,080* | $59,224 | $13,000* | 0.21 | |
| $4,274 | $59,574* | — | —* | — | |
| $4,320 | $59,215* | — | $19,871* | 0.34 | |
| $4,280 | $58,853* | $37,322 | $13,625* | 0.23 | |
| $17,190 | $57,717* | — | $20,000* | 0.35 | |
| National Median | — | $55,016* | — | $19,309* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with dental support services and allied professions graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At John A Logan College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.