Analysis
Parkland College's dental support program graduates earn less than their peers at nearly every other Illinois school offering this degree. With first-year earnings of $47,133—about $10,000 below the Illinois median and in the bottom quarter statewide—graduates trail programs at community colleges like College of Lake County and Rock Valley College by roughly $12,000-$16,000 annually. Even four years out, when earnings climb to $53,326, they remain significantly below what peers at other Illinois programs earn in their first year.
The debt load is reasonable at $13,625, matching the state median and creating a manageable 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio. This means the financial burden itself isn't crushing. However, the real concern is the earnings gap: graduates here are starting thousands below their in-state peers who attended competing programs, and that differential compounds over a career. The 13% earnings growth to year four is solid, but it's not enough to close the gap with other programs.
For Illinois families, this data suggests looking at other state community colleges first. Programs at College of Lake County, Rock Valley, or College of DuPage deliver substantially higher starting salaries with similar or even lower debt burdens. Unless location in Champaign is essential, the numbers point toward exploring dental support programs that better position graduates for Illinois-level earnings in this field.
Where Parkland College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Parkland College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parkland College | $47,133 | $53,326 | +13% |
| College of Lake County | $63,080 | $59,224 | -6% |
| William Rainey Harper College | $56,767 | $56,064 | -1% |
| Lewis and Clark Community College | $54,276 | $50,200 | -8% |
| Carl Sandburg College | $51,566 | $46,124 | -11% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (16 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Parkland CollegeChampaign | $4,284 | $47,133 | $53,326 | $13,625 | 0.29 |
 College of Lake CountyGrayslake | $4,494 | $63,080 | $59,224 | $13,000 | 0.21 |
 Rock Valley CollegeRockford | $4,274 | $59,574 | — | — | — |
 College of DuPageGlen Ellyn | $4,320 | $59,215 | — | $19,871 | 0.34 |
 Lake Land CollegeMattoon | $4,280 | $58,853 | $37,322 | $13,625 | 0.23 |
 Fox CollegeTinley Park | $17,190 | $57,717 | — | $20,000 | 0.35 |
| 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 Parkland College, approximately 25% 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.