Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,016
Est. from national median (196 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$17,080
Est. from national median (104 programs)

Analysis

Vermont's dental support program shows promising income progression, with earnings climbing from an estimated $55,000 in the first year to $67,000 by year four—a trajectory that outpaces many allied health credentials. The estimated debt load of $17,000 sits below the national median for similar programs, creating a relatively manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio. That means graduates would owe roughly four months' salary, which is reasonable by healthcare training standards.

The bigger challenge here is the limited visibility. Both the earnings and debt figures are drawn from national peer programs rather than Vermont State's actual outcomes, so it's difficult to assess how this specific program performs. The state has only one dental support program, meaning there's no local competition to benchmark against. The earnings jump between years one and four could reflect credential advancement or geographic mobility, but without more granular data, parents should verify whether graduates are finding opportunities in Vermont's relatively small healthcare market.

If your student is certain about dental hygiene or assisting, the projected debt burden won't be crushing, and the field typically offers stable demand. However, contact the program directly to understand their placement rates and whether graduates stay in-state or relocate for better opportunities—details that matter considerably when you're working from national averages rather than school-specific outcomes.

Where Vermont State University Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Vermont State University$67,244
Chabot College$85,175$87,048+2%
Shoreline Community College$78,372$76,105-3%
Northern Virginia Community College$70,727$75,837+7%
Fortis Institute-Wayne$70,276$74,566+6%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Dental Support Services and Allied Professions associates's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Vermont State UniversityRandolph$11,400$55,016*$67,244$17,080*
Chabot CollegeHayward$1,150$85,175*$87,048*
Shoreline Community CollegeShoreline$4,388$78,372*$76,105$27,250*0.35
Community College of DenverDenver$4,902$76,712*$62,109$29,472*0.38
Concorde Career College-San BernardinoSan Bernardino$73,660*$58,500$26,125*0.35
Concorde Career College-Garden GroveGarden Grove$72,160*$58,230$29,176*0.40
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 Vermont State University, approximately 31% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 196 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.