Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Ross Medical Education Center-Roosevelt Park

This program lands right at Michigan's median for dental support training, though that's below the national average by about $1,700 annually. The $9,500 debt load is reasonable—taking less than five months of earnings to repay—but it's worth noting that other Michigan programs produce significantly stronger outcomes. Washtenaw Community College graduates earn nearly $14,000 more annually with similar debt levels, and even other Ross campuses in Lansing and Kentwood show slightly higher earnings.

The flat earnings trajectory here is typical for dental assistant roles, where skills and credentials matter more than years of experience. With 84% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves primarily lower-income students entering a stable field with predictable pay. The debt burden is manageable, but families should understand they're looking at roughly $24,000 in annual income for the foreseeable future.

For students specifically interested in dental assisting and bound to the Muskegon area, this provides affordable entry into the field. However, if geography allows flexibility, the community college options offer substantially better returns for similar training. The question isn't whether graduates can service their debt—they clearly can—but whether the income level supports longer-term financial goals.