Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Pasadena City College
Associate's Degree
pasadena.eduAnalysis
California's dental support programs cluster at the higher end of national outcomes, and Pasadena City College's estimated figures suggest students here enter a robust market. While we can't see actual graduate data for this specific program, similar dental support associate programs across California typically produce first-year earnings around $70,541—substantially above the $55,016 national median. This puts California's dental support graduates ahead of peers in most other states from day one.
The estimated $17,080 in debt is notably lower than both the California median ($26,125) and national median ($19,309) for these programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24. That means students would likely spend about three months of their first year's salary paying off what they borrowed—a manageable burden for entering a field with steady demand. Even if actual figures for Pasadena graduates vary from these state estimates, the overall California market for dental assistants and hygienists remains strong enough to support reasonable debt loads.
The challenge is that without school-specific data, you can't know whether Pasadena's program connects students to the highest-paying employers or leaves them at the lower end of the state range. Top California programs like Chabot College place graduates earning $85,000+, while others cluster closer to the median. For families prioritizing lower debt with likely access to California's strong dental job market, the estimated picture looks solid—just recognize you're betting on statewide trends rather than verified outcomes.
Where Pasadena City College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in California (45 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,180 | $70,541* | — | $17,080* | — | |
| $1,150 | $85,175* | $87,048 | —* | — | |
| — | $73,660* | $58,500 | $26,125* | 0.35 | |
| — | $72,160* | $58,230 | $29,176* | 0.40 | |
| — | $70,807* | $56,906 | $26,125* | 0.37 | |
| — | $70,541* | $63,413 | $32,350* | 0.46 | |
| 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 Pasadena City College, approximately 30% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 9 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.