Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Utah Tech University

Utah Tech's dental support program sits in an unusual position: it trails the national median by $8,400 but actually performs above average within Utah, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. The program beats two of the three other Utah options, including larger programs at Utah Valley and Weber State, though it falls just short of Careers Unlimited's outcomes.

The debt picture looks remarkably favorable—just $12,450 versus $25,000 nationally and $17,376 across Utah. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly three months' salary, one of the lowest burdens you'll find for a bachelor's program. This advantage matters more than the lower starting salary for many families, especially since dental support roles offer stability and don't require relocation to expensive metro areas.

The critical caveat: these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them less reliable than data from larger programs. The lower national percentile (12th) reflects how much higher earnings can be in other states, where dental hygienists and assistants with bachelor's degrees often command $60,000+ starting salaries. If your child plans to stay in Utah's smaller healthcare market, this program offers manageable debt and competitive local outcomes. For those eyeing out-of-state opportunities immediately after graduation, the earning gap becomes more significant.