Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Santa Rosa Junior College
Associate's Degree
santarosa.eduAnalysis
Similar dental programs in California suggest first-year earnings around $70,541, which would translate to a manageable debt burden at an estimated $17,080—about a quarter of what graduates typically earn in their first year. That's considerably better than the national debt picture for this field, where students at comparable schools typically borrow $19,309. By year four, when earnings climb to $77,356, this becomes an even more comfortable financial position.
What makes this estimate particularly credible is that dental support roles in California consistently command higher pay than the national median of $55,016. The state's robust healthcare market and higher cost of living translate to stronger compensation across the board. While we can't verify Santa Rosa JC's specific outcomes due to small graduate numbers, peer programs in California cluster in a similar range, with several reporting first-year earnings between $70,000 and $85,000.
The low debt estimate combined with California's strong dental employment market suggests reasonable financial risk for this two-year credential. The 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio—if accurate—would put borrowers in position to pay down loans relatively quickly while establishing themselves in a field with clear advancement opportunities. For families willing to work with estimated rather than verified data, the fundamentals look sound.
Where Santa Rosa Junior College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa Junior College | — | $77,356 | — |
| Chabot College | $85,175 | $87,048 | +2% |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | $67,916 | $64,532 | -5% |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | $67,916 | $64,532 | -5% |
| Carrington College-Sacramento | $70,541 | $63,413 | -10% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in California (45 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Santa Rosa Junior CollegeSanta Rosa | $1,318 | $70,541* | $77,356 | $17,080* | — |
 Chabot CollegeHayward | $1,150 | $85,175* | $87,048 | —* | — |
 Concorde Career College-San BernardinoSan Bernardino | — | $73,660* | $58,500 | $26,125* | 0.35 |
| Concorde Career College-Garden GroveGarden Grove | — | $72,160* | $58,230 | $29,176* | 0.40 |
| Concorde Career College-San DiegoSan Diego | — | $70,807* | $56,906 | $26,125* | 0.37 |
 Carrington College-SacramentoSacramento | — | $70,541* | $63,413 | $32,350* | 0.46 |
| 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 Santa Rosa Junior College, approximately 17% 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 9 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.