Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center

Oklahoma's Dental Support Services program launches graduates into strong early earnings—$75,367 in the first year, substantially ahead of the national median of $60,170. The debt load of roughly $21,000 is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 that's among the better outcomes nationally. For an anxious parent evaluating healthcare career paths, those initial numbers look promising.

The complication lies in what happens next. By year four, median earnings drop to $65,925—a 12% decline that's unusual for healthcare fields, which typically show steady wage growth. This could reflect graduates transitioning between roles, moving from high-paying urban positions to different markets, or limitations in how dental support careers advance over time. With only two schools offering this program in Oklahoma, the data is thin, and these patterns may shift as the field evolves.

For families prioritizing immediate earning potential with limited debt exposure, this program delivers. Your graduate enters the workforce earning more than many bachelor's-level healthcare peers while carrying less than a year's worth of salary in debt. Just understand that this may represent a career ceiling rather than a launching pad—strong starting pay that plateaus or dips rather than climbing steadily. If your student values work-life balance and financial security over aggressive income growth, that tradeoff might be exactly right.