Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Portland Community College

Portland Community College's dental support program delivers first-year earnings of $36,211—well above both the national median ($25,255) and Oregon's state average ($33,802). While the debt figure of $9,362 is estimated from comparable community college programs nationwide, that level paired with these earnings creates a debt-to-income ratio of just 0.26, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their entire balance in about three months of work.

The program ranks at the 95th percentile nationally but only the 60th percentile within Oregon, which tells an interesting story: dental support programs in Oregon generally perform well, and PCC sits solidly in the middle of a strong state field. Looking at Oregon programs with reported data, PCC's outcomes land right in the competitive range—just below Linn-Benton but ahead of several other options. The 11% earnings growth to $40,119 by year four suggests steady career progression, though the pace is measured rather than dramatic.

For parents, this looks like a pragmatic investment: a short credential with modest debt exposure (similar programs suggest borrowing stays below $10,000) leading to immediate employment at respectable wages. The main uncertainty is whether this specific program's actual debt aligns with the estimate, but even if graduates borrowed somewhat more, the strong earnings would likely absorb it. This is the kind of program that gets people into steady work quickly without gambling on huge debt.