Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Bachelor's Degree
Analysis
UT Health Science Center Houston's dental support program launches graduates to near-$60,000 starting salaries, but earnings slip slightly by year four rather than grow. At first glance, this seems like solid footing—the debt load of $23,475 is manageable at 40% of first-year earnings. But compared to UT San Antonio and Texas A&M's dental support programs, which both start graduates around $64,000-$65,000, Houston graduates earn about $5,000 less annually. That gap compounds over time, and the program ranks below the 40th percentile among Texas dental support programs, meaning most comparable programs in the state deliver stronger outcomes.
The modest debt helps offset the earnings concern, especially for the 43% of students from lower-income families who receive Pell grants. Still, earnings that drift backward—even by just 2%—suggest limited advancement opportunities within this career track. For comparison, the state median for this field is $60,153, essentially matching what graduates here start at but never quite reaching.
If your child is committed to dental support services in Houston specifically, the debt burden won't be crushing. However, if they're flexible on location, UT San Antonio's program delivers $6,500 more in starting salary for similar debt—a difference that translates to roughly $26,000 over four years. That gap matters when you're trying to build financial stability early in a career.
Where The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions bachelors's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston graduates compare to all programs nationally
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston graduates earn $59k, placing them in the 46th percentile of all dental support services and allied professions bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Texas (6 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | $59,360 | $57,950 | $23,475 | 0.40 |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | $64,535 | $60,649 | $23,296 | 0.36 |
| Texas A&M University-College Station | $64,394 | $65,587 | $21,000 | 0.33 |
| Midwestern State University | $60,153 | $62,057 | $19,500 | 0.32 |
| Texas Woman's University | $55,694 | $62,400 | $24,601 | 0.44 |
| National Median | $60,170 | — | $25,000 | 0.42 |
Other Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio | — | $64,535 | $23,296 |
| Texas A&M University-College Station College Station | $13,099 | $64,394 | $21,000 |
| Midwestern State University Wichita Falls | $10,310 | $60,153 | $19,500 |
| Texas Woman's University Denton | $8,648 | $55,694 | $24,601 |
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 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, approximately 43% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 52 graduates with reported earnings and 54 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.