Program Analysis
Graduates earn $55,003/yr, roughly in line with the $60,938 national median for Dental Support Services. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 17.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 24% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $55,003 far exceeding the $20,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #12 out of 74 programs, University of New Mexico-Main Campus's Dental Support Services program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Earnings growth is modest: $55,003 to $63,869 over five years (16% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.