Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

UT Health Science Center's dental support program shows an unusual earnings pattern that parents should understand before committing. Graduates start at $55,109—competitive within Tennessee, ranking in the 60th percentile among the state's six programs and outpacing East Tennessee State. However, earnings drop 11% by year four to $48,885, falling below both the Tennessee median ($53,212) and significantly trailing the national median ($60,170). This places the program in just the 25th percentile nationally.

The $25,000 debt load matches national norms but exceeds Tennessee's typical $20,344, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 that looks manageable initially but becomes less favorable as earnings decline. For context, dental support professions typically offer stable career trajectories, making this backward slide worth investigating. It could reflect local market saturation in Memphis, graduates moving into lower-paying specialties, or part-time work patterns common in dental settings.

Within Tennessee, this program performs reasonably—better than half of in-state options. But the earnings trajectory suggests graduates may face career challenges that peers at other schools avoid. If your child plans to stay in Memphis long-term and values the specialized training, the debt is manageable. However, families expecting typical career growth should recognize this program's outcomes diverge from that pattern, particularly compared to stronger programs nationally where graduates maintain or grow their earning power.