Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's University graduates enter dental support professions earning about $4,500 less than the Texas median—landing them at the 40th percentile among the state's six programs. That gap persists even after four years, when earnings reach $62,400, still trailing both state and national averages. While the program serves a substantial population (40% receive Pell grants) with manageable debt of $24,601, graduates make roughly 15% less than peers at UT Health San Antonio or Texas A&M's programs.

The math isn't terrible: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, graduates carry less than half their starting salary in loans, meaning debt should remain manageable. Earnings do climb 12% by year four, suggesting steady career progression in the dental field. However, that growth still leaves graduates behind their peers who started at higher-paying programs.

For Texas families, this becomes a calculation about access versus outcomes. TWU's 95% admission rate makes it an attainable option when competitive programs aren't, and the debt load won't be crushing. But if your child can get into UT Health San Antonio or Texas A&M's dental programs, they'd start their careers earning an extra $8,000-$9,000 annually—a meaningful difference that compounds over time. This works as a backup option or for students prioritizing proximity to Denton, but it's not the strongest choice for maximizing earning potential in Texas dental support careers.