Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at North-West College-Riverside

North-West College-Riverside's dental support certificate produces earnings well below what's achievable elsewhere in California. At $23,018 one year after graduation, graduates earn less than half what those from top state programs make—Cabrillo College graduates average $74,741, and several other California schools place their graduates above $31,000. Even against the California median of $24,628, this program sits in just the 40th percentile, meaning six out of ten comparable programs in the state yield better results.

The modest debt load of $9,500 prevents this from being a financial disaster, but it doesn't change the fundamental value equation. Graduates are earning barely above minimum wage for full-time work in a state with a high cost of living. The minimal earnings growth to $24,616 after four years suggests limited career mobility. For a family serving predominantly low-income students (63% receive Pell grants), these outcomes are particularly concerning when better-performing alternatives exist throughout California.

If your child is set on dental support work, push them to explore other California programs with proven track records. The difference between this program's $24,000 outcome and another school's $31,000+ could mean financial stability versus struggle in an expensive state.