Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Ultimate Medical Academy

Ultimate Medical Academy's dental support program starts graduates at just $20,000—well below both Florida's $24,600 median and the national average of $25,300. Among the 53 Florida schools offering this credential, this program ranks in the bottom quarter for earnings. The gap is substantial: top Florida programs like Daytona State College place graduates earning $32,000 right out of the gate, nearly 60% more than Ultimate Medical's typical outcome.

The silver lining is meaningful earnings growth—graduates see their income jump 29% by year four, reaching nearly $26,000. However, this still leaves them trailing where stronger programs start. The $9,500 debt load is average for this field nationally, but paired with sub-$20,000 starting wages, it means graduates begin with debt equal to half their first year's income. For an 81% Pell-eligible student body, that's a tight squeeze during the critical first year when dental assistants are building their client base and securing full-time hours.

For Florida families, this looks like a weaker option in a crowded field. Your child could enter a community college or technical program nearby and likely start thousands higher, making those early career years far more manageable financially. The credential itself has value—dental support work is stable—but this particular program underdelivers compared to what's available in-state.