Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Navarro College
Associate's Degree
navarrocollege.eduAnalysis
Texas dental support programs show a wide range of outcomes, and without actual graduate data from Navarro College, we're working with educated guesses based on 14 similar programs statewide. Those comparable programs suggest first-year earnings around $56,300—right at the state median but well below what several other Texas community colleges and technical schools are producing. The top five programs with reported data show graduates earning $60,500 to $71,200, creating a $5,000 to $15,000 gap that's significant in a first-year dental assistant or hygienist salary.
The estimated $16,500 debt figure looks manageable on paper, yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 that suggests reasonable affordability. That's notably lower than the $25,250 state median debt for these programs, which could reflect Navarro's community college pricing advantage. However, this estimate is based on only three similar programs at comparable institutions, making it less reliable than we'd like.
The practical issue here is uncertainty. Without knowing how Navarro's specific program performs—its clinical training quality, employer partnerships, or graduate placement rates—you're making a decision with limited visibility. If you're set on dental support work in Texas, compare Navarro's total program cost against schools with proven outcomes like Tarrant County College or Austin Community College. The potential $10,000+ earnings difference in your first year alone could justify shopping around.
Where Navarro College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (28 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,008 | $56,307* | — | $16,500* | — | |
| — | $71,216* | $69,436 | $32,500* | 0.46 | |
| — | $65,693* | $67,065 | $25,250* | 0.38 | |
| $1,728 | $65,537* | $57,808 | —* | — | |
| — | $64,381* | $58,922 | $26,548* | 0.41 | |
| $2,550 | $60,475* | $59,676 | —* | — | |
| 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 Navarro College, approximately 32% 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 14 similar programs in TX. Actual outcomes may vary.