Median Earnings (1yr)
$57,535
61st percentile
60th percentile in Florida
Est. Median Debt
$14,875
Est. from FL median (5 programs)

Analysis

Valencia College's dental support program delivers solid first-year earnings of $57,535—right at the state median and comfortably above the national benchmark of $55,016. While the school's reported outcomes place it in the 60th percentile among Florida programs, that still means roughly 40% of comparable programs in the state produce higher earnings, with top performers like Palm Beach State and Daytona State showing first-year results above $63,000.

The debt picture looks manageable but requires context. Based on similar programs at Florida community colleges, graduates likely carry about $14,875 in debt—translating to a favorable 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's substantially better than the national median debt of $19,309 for this field, suggesting Florida's community college system keeps costs relatively contained. The 17% earnings growth to $67,160 by year four indicates steady career progression in dental support roles.

For parents evaluating this investment, the fundamentals appear sound: graduates enter a healthcare field with immediate earning power and reasonable debt loads. However, the lack of school-specific debt data means you're working with educated guesses rather than verified outcomes. If your child is committed to dental hygiene or assisting, this represents a practical pathway with predictable returns—just recognize that several other Florida community colleges appear to deliver slightly stronger earnings outcomes in the same field.

Where Valencia College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all dental support services and allied professions associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Valencia College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Valencia College$57,535$67,160+17%
Chabot College$85,175$87,048+2%
Daytona State College$63,591$56,862-11%
Florida State College at Jacksonville$59,330$49,513-17%
Pensacola State College$46,690$39,441-16%

Compare to Similar Programs in Florida

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at peer institutions in Florida (23 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Valencia CollegeOrlando$2,474$57,535$67,160$14,875*—
Palm Beach State CollegeLake Worth$3,050$63,723——*—
Daytona State CollegeDaytona Beach$3,106$63,591$56,862—*—
Hillsborough Community CollegeTampa$2,506$62,731——*—
St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg$2,682$62,093—$26,556*0.43
Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville$2,878$59,330$49,513—*—
National Median—$55,016—$19,309*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with dental support services and allied professions graduates

Dental Hygienists

Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.

$94,260/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Dental Assistants

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

$47,300/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Dental Laboratory Technicians

Construct and repair full or partial dentures or dental appliances.

$45,820/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Valencia College, approximately 39% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 26 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.