Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Waukesha County Technical College

Waukesha County Technical College's dental support program delivers first-year earnings of $30,725—well above the national median of $25,255 and ranking in the 88th percentile nationally. Within Wisconsin, it holds the middle ground at the 60th percentile, outperforming most in-state alternatives while trailing specialized programs like Herzing University-Madison's $41,499 average. The debt load of $11,399 is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.37, which means graduates owe roughly four months of their first year's salary.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually earn slightly less four years out ($29,576) than they do immediately after graduation. This 4% decline is unusual for healthcare-adjacent fields and worth investigating—it could reflect part-time work patterns, career changes, or the specific roles these graduates fill in dental offices. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a few individual cases could skew the pattern.

For families weighing this option, the program offers a low-risk entry point into dental support work with reasonable debt and solid initial earnings. Just recognize that this certificate may serve as a stepping stone rather than a long-term career foundation, and consider whether additional credentials might be necessary for advancement in the dental field.