Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at University of Nebraska Medical Center

The University of Nebraska Medical Center's dental support program starts strong with nearly $60,000 in first-year earnings, but graduates see their income drop to $48,386 by year four—a 19% decline that's unusual for healthcare fields. While this program performs better than the state median (60th percentile in Nebraska), that's somewhat misleading since only two schools in the state offer this degree, limiting meaningful comparison.

The debt level of $25,000 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 based on first-year earnings. That's reasonable for a healthcare program and matches the national median. However, the earnings trajectory complicates the picture: as income drops to the mid-40s by year four, this ratio becomes less favorable over time. The program ranks squarely at the national median (47th percentile), meaning half of similar programs produce better outcomes.

For parents, the key question is why earnings decline so significantly after graduation. This pattern might reflect graduates moving from clinical positions into lower-paying roles, or perhaps challenges with advancement in this field. At $25,000 in debt, the financial risk is limited, but families should investigate what career paths these graduates typically follow and whether the declining income trend stabilizes beyond year four. This isn't a concerning debt burden, but the backward earnings trajectory deserves scrutiny before committing.