Analysis
Borrowing $22,935 for a Regis associate's degree appears steep when Massachusetts community colleges are preparing dental support graduates for the same field at half the debt. Comparable programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $56,000—a solid starting point that puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.41, which is manageable. But here's the tension: Mount Wachusett and Quinsigamond community college graduates are earning $68,000-plus in their first year, according to actual reported data, while carrying far less debt.
The challenge isn't the field itself—dental support careers typically offer stable employment and clear advancement paths. It's that Regis graduates are starting with nearly $23,000 in debt for credentials that peer programs deliver more affordably. When community colleges in your backyard are producing better financial outcomes for the same credential, the value proposition gets harder to defend. The earnings estimates based on similar Massachusetts programs suggest decent income potential, but you're paying a premium that doesn't seem justified by the outcomes data available.
For parents evaluating this program, the math is straightforward: community colleges in Massachusetts are demonstrating superior results for dental support training. Unless Regis offers specific networking, clinical placement, or personal attention advantages worth an extra $10,000-15,000 in borrowing, the state's community college options deserve serious consideration first.
Where Regis College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $47,770 | $56,156* | — | $22,935 | — | |
| $6,000 | $68,670* | $59,033 | — | — | |
| $5,974 | $66,252* | $56,571 | $24,000 | 0.36 | |
| $5,520 | $56,883* | $65,929 | $11,372 | 0.20 | |
| $6,048 | $55,428* | $54,647 | $16,100 | 0.29 | |
| $5,712 | $54,903* | $51,792 | $26,376 | 0.48 | |
| 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 Regis 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.
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 6 similar programs in MA. Actual outcomes may vary.