Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Los Angeles City College
Associate's Degree
lacc.eduAnalysis
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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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,238 | $70,541* | — | $17,080* | — | |
| $1,150 | $85,175* | $87,048 | —* | — | |
| — | $73,660* | $58,500 | $26,125* | 0.35 | |
| — | $72,160* | $58,230 | $29,176* | 0.40 | |
| — | $70,807* | $56,906 | $26,125* | 0.37 | |
| — | $70,541* | $63,413 | $32,350* | 0.46 | |
| 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 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.