Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at New York University

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.