Dental Support Services and Allied Professions at Valdosta State University
GA · Associate's Degree · CIP 51.06
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Dental Support Services and Allied Professions degree from Valdosta State University earn a median salary of $52,401 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in GA, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $57,902. The degree typically pays for itself in 10.7 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$43,255
Typical Career
$52,401
Top Performers
$61,332
Estimated break-even: 10.7 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$349
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $4,367. Most students can comfortably afford about a $349 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.4x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.7x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Georgia buys what costs $0.91 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, Retail Trade.
Where Associate's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$57,902
Nominal: $52,401 in Georgia (COL 90.5% of national avg) · 10.5% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $36,004 | $47,260 | $57,676 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $43,255 | $52,401 | $61,332 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $47,119 | $58,363 | $68,723 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $52,401 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in GA, which has a cost-of-living index of 90.5% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $52,401 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9050)
= $57,902 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The program prepares students for careers primarily in Health Care & Social Assistance, which accounts for 35.7% of graduates, followed by Educational Services at 27.7% and a further 19.9% in Health Care & Social Assistance. The estimated break-even point for graduates compared to those with only a high school diploma is approximately 10.7 years, suggesting a reasonable return on investment for pursuing this degree. Overall, the career prospects and earnings potential in this field appear favorable, making it a viable option for students considering their future.
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Other Degrees at Valdosta State University
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.