Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston

With robust data from over 100 graduates, this dental support program at College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston delivers below-average outcomes that may concern parents evaluating healthcare career paths. Starting salaries of $21,569 fall well below the national median of $25,255 for similar programs, ranking this school in just the 19th percentile nationally. Even within Texas, where dental support earnings tend to run lower, this program sits at the 40th percentile—essentially average for the state but trailing significantly behind sister campuses in Austin and Dallas that produce graduates earning $29,060.

The debt picture offers some relief, with graduates owing a manageable $9,248—right at the Texas median and slightly below the national average. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means students can reasonably expect to pay off their loans within two years of graduation. Additionally, earnings do grow meaningfully over time, jumping 24% to $26,812 by year four, which helps close the gap with better-performing programs.

For families considering this path, the key tradeoff is clear: lower upfront costs and reasonable debt levels versus significantly weaker earning potential compared to other dental support programs. Given that several Texas competitors produce graduates earning $2,000-7,000 more annually right out of school, parents should strongly consider whether those alternative programs justify potentially higher costs or different locations.