Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at UEI College-Garden Grove

This UEI College-Garden Grove dental support program delivers concerning outcomes that fall significantly below expectations. With first-year earnings of just $19,904—ranking in only the 10th percentile nationally and 25th percentile in California—graduates earn about $5,000 less than the typical dental support program graduate in the state. The debt load of $9,500 isn't excessive, but when paired with such low initial earnings, it creates a challenging financial start.

The program does show promise with 32% earnings growth over four years, reaching $26,229, which suggests career advancement potential. However, even after this growth, earnings remain below both national and state medians for the field. The stark contrast with top California programs is telling—Cabrillo College graduates earn nearly four times more ($74,741), while several other schools produce graduates earning over $31,000.

For parents considering this program, the numbers suggest looking elsewhere. With 96 dental support programs available across California and many delivering substantially better outcomes, this represents a poor return on investment despite the relatively modest debt load. The 75% Pell grant recipient rate indicates the school serves a vulnerable population, but that doesn't excuse the weak employment outcomes that leave graduates struggling financially.