Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Pueblo Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Pueblo Community College's dental support program achieves something remarkable: graduates earn $62,355 one year out—more than double the national median for these programs and nearly twice what graduates from Colorado's next-best program make. This puts it in the 95th percentile both nationally and within Colorado, where the typical program produces $29,935 in first-year earnings. Even Front Range Community College, the state's second-ranked program, only reaches $37,396.
The $19,549 debt load is higher than what most dental support certificate programs charge (about double the national and state medians), but the math still works strongly in graduates' favor. That 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio means students carry less than four months of annual salary in debt—extremely manageable by any standard. When a program delivers earnings this far above comparable options, the premium price becomes justifiable.
The caveat is that we're working with a moderate sample size, so individual outcomes may vary more than at larger programs. But the earnings gap here is too substantial to ignore. If your child is committed to dental support work and can handle the upfront cost, this program delivers returns that dwarf both state and national alternatives. The extra debt pays for itself within months, not years.
Where Pueblo Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Pueblo Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Pueblo Community College graduates earn $62k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all dental support services and allied professions certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions certificate's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (13 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo Community College | $62,355 | — | $19,549 | 0.31 |
| Front Range Community College | $37,396 | $36,156 | — | — |
| IBMC College | $31,222 | $28,835 | $10,218 | 0.33 |
| Pickens Technical College | $31,002 | — | — | — |
| Pima Medical Institute-Aurora | $29,935 | $30,178 | $8,193 | 0.27 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs | $27,301 | $30,467 | $8,509 | 0.31 |
| National Median | $25,255 | — | $9,500 | 0.38 |
Other Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Programs in Colorado
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Colorado schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College Westminster | $4,740 | $37,396 | — |
| IBMC College Fort Collins | $15,320 | $31,222 | $10,218 |
| Pickens Technical College Aurora | $4,930 | $31,002 | — |
| Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora | — | $29,935 | $8,193 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs | — | $27,301 | $8,509 |
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 Pueblo Community College, approximately 28% 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 38 graduates with reported earnings and 40 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.