Analysis
NYU's dental support program charges elite-university tuition but delivers middle-of-the-pack outcomes. At $57,035 in first-year earnings, graduates earn exactly the state median—matching what students earn from community colleges like CUNY Hostos or Farmingdale State. The 60th percentile ranking among New York programs means three of the top five programs in the state are community colleges that cost a fraction of NYU's price. While NYU's $21,241 median debt isn't catastrophic, it's above the state median of $19,158, and the earnings growth to $67,080 by year four still doesn't justify the premium you'd pay for the NYU name.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.37 is manageable—graduates should be able to handle their loans on a dental hygienist or assistant salary. But here's the real issue: you're paying for access to one of the world's most selective universities (9% acceptance rate, 1527 average SAT) to enter a field where credentials matter less than clinical skills and state licensing. Orange County Community College graduates earn $64,661 right out of the gate, $7,600 more than NYU grads, likely with minimal debt.
Unless NYU is offering substantial financial aid that brings your actual cost below a CUNY or SUNY option, this is a poor return on investment. For dental support careers, save the NYU premium for graduate school.
Where New York University Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How New York University graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York University | $57,035 | $67,080 | +18% |
| CUNY Hostos Community College | $62,426 | $69,901 | +12% |
| Farmingdale State College | $57,077 | $61,493 | +8% |
| Orange County Community College | $64,661 | $55,536 | -14% |
| Hudson Valley Community College | $52,151 | $52,972 | +2% |
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in New York (13 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 New York UniversityNew York | $60,438 | $57,035 | $67,080 | $21,241 | 0.37 |
 Orange County Community CollegeMiddletown | $6,382 | $64,661 | $55,536 | — | — |
 CUNY Hostos Community CollegeBronx | $5,208 | $62,426 | $69,901 | $14,400 | 0.23 |
 SUNY Broome Community CollegeBinghamton | $7,470 | $60,032 | $49,661 | $18,876 | 0.31 |
 Plaza CollegeForest Hills | $15,450 | $57,819 | — | $25,250 | 0.44 |
 Farmingdale State CollegeFarmingdale | $8,576 | $57,077 | $61,493 | $20,718 | 0.36 |
| 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 New York University, approximately 19% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 64 graduates with reported earnings and 67 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.