Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Pima Medical Institute-Houston

Pima Medical Institute-Houston's dental support graduates start at $71,216—significantly outearning both the Texas median ($56,307) and landing in the 80th percentile statewide. That's roughly $15,000 more annually than typical Texas dental support programs, putting graduates ahead of even well-regarded community college options like Austin Community College and Temple College. The program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally, demonstrating exceptional placement outcomes.

The tradeoff comes with higher debt: $32,500 versus the Texas median of $25,250. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 remains manageable—graduates earn more than twice their debt in the first year. The bigger concern is the slight earnings dip to $69,436 by year four, though this may reflect career transitions or individual job changes rather than a structural problem, given the moderate sample size of 30-100 graduates.

For families considering this investment, the math is straightforward: your child will likely earn $140,000+ in their first two years while carrying debt that's about 23% above the state average. That $7,000 premium in borrowing buys access to earnings that are $29,000 higher over two years compared to typical Texas programs. The strong initial placement suggests effective employer connections—a critical advantage in dental support fields where clinical competency and professional networks matter as much as credentials.