Est. Earnings (1yr)
$70,541
Est. from CA median (9 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,080
Est. from national median (104 programs)

Analysis

California's dental support programs command substantially higher salaries than the national average, and based on similar programs across the state, Los Angeles City College appears positioned in the middle of this premium market. First-year earnings around $70,500 represent a nearly 30% premium over what these programs typically produce nationally, reflecting California's robust dental services sector and higher cost of living.

The estimated $17,000 in debt is notably lower than what most comparable programs carry—well below both the state median of $26,000 and the national median of $19,000. This suggests a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning graduates would need roughly three months of gross income to cover their educational debt. That's an unusually favorable position for a healthcare support credential, where high debt burdens often undermine solid earning potential.

The constraint here is data availability—we're working with estimates derived from peer programs rather than tracked outcomes from this specific school. What we can say is that dental hygienist and dental assistant roles in the Los Angeles metro area are in consistent demand, and community college pathways typically offer better value than proprietary programs. If your child is committed to dental support work and can complete this program with debt in the estimated range, the financial fundamentals look sound.

Where Los Angeles City College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in California (45 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Los Angeles City CollegeLos Angeles$1,238$70,541*$17,080*
Chabot CollegeHayward$1,150$85,175*$87,048*
Concorde Career College-San BernardinoSan Bernardino$73,660*$58,500$26,125*0.35
Concorde Career College-Garden GroveGarden Grove$72,160*$58,230$29,176*0.40
Concorde Career College-San DiegoSan Diego$70,807*$56,906$26,125*0.37
Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento$70,541*$63,413$32,350*0.46
National Median$55,016*$19,309*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with dental support services and allied professions graduates

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

$94,260/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Dental Assistants

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

$47,300/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

$45,820/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 Los Angeles City College, approximately 26% 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 CA. Actual outcomes may vary.