Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at North-West College-Riverside
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
north-westcollege.eduAnalysis
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.
Where North-West College-Riverside Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How North-West College-Riverside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| North-West College-Riverside | $23,018 | $24,616 | +7% |
| Cabrillo College | $74,741 | $69,093 | -8% |
| Carrington College-Sacramento | $28,060 | $31,230 | +11% |
| Carrington College-San Leandro Campus | $28,060 | $31,230 | +11% |
| Carrington College-San Jose | $28,060 | $31,230 | +11% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (96 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 North-West College-RiversideRiverside | — | $23,018 | $24,616 | $9,500 | 0.41 |
 Cabrillo CollegeAptos | $1,270 | $74,741 | $69,093 | — | — |
 Cerritos CollegeNorwalk | $1,364 | $34,175 | — | — | — |
 Unitek CollegeFremont | — | $31,425 | — | $9,039 | 0.29 |
 Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USDConcord | — | $31,425 | $30,730 | — | — |
| North-West College-Van NuysVan Nuys | — | $31,215 | — | $8,782 | 0.28 |
| National Median | — | $25,255 | — | $9,500 | 0.38 |
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 North-West College-Riverside, approximately 63% 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 79 graduates with reported earnings and 86 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.