Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Valencia College
Associate's Degree
valenciacollege.eduAnalysis
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
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,474 | $57,535 | $67,160 | $14,875* | — | |
| $3,050 | $63,723 | — | —* | — | |
| $3,106 | $63,591 | $56,862 | —* | — | |
| $2,506 | $62,731 | — | —* | — | |
| $2,682 | $62,093 | — | $26,556* | 0.43 | |
| $2,878 | $59,330 | $49,513 | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $55,016 | — | $19,309* | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with dental support services and allied professions graduates
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.