Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Johnson County Community College

Johnson County Community College's dental support program shows first-year earnings of nearly $58,000—solidly above both the state and national medians for this field. With estimated debt around $17,000 (based on typical borrowing patterns at community colleges nationwide), graduates would face a debt load equal to just 29% of their first year salary, a manageable ratio by any standard.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates see their median salary actually decline by 7% between years one and four, dropping to about $54,000. This backward movement is unusual and suggests either high turnover in initial positions, part-time transitions, or plateauing wages in the field itself. Since we don't have actual debt figures specific to Johnson County's program, that estimated $17,000 could be lower or higher—Kansas programs in this field average over $22,000 in debt, which would make the investment less attractive if early earnings don't hold.

For parents evaluating this program, the first-year numbers look promising, but the decline in earnings deserves scrutiny. If your student plans to work full-time in the field long-term, investigate whether this drop reflects typical career patterns for dental assistants and hygienists in the Kansas City area, or whether graduates are shifting away from the profession after a few years.