Home › Pacific University › Dental Support Services

Dental Support Services at Pacific University

Forest Grove, OR · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions
57 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
57
Optimistic
57
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $76,060/yr (25% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.2x earnings multiple
Ranked #44 of 74 Dental Support Services programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Dental Support Services graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $699K $698K $639K
Earnings Multiple 3.2x 3.2x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 53% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 57 57 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$217,864
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$141,400
35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,554
14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Pacific University's Dental Support Services graduates start at $76,060/yr — above the $60,938 national average, though not by a wide margin.

At 3.2x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Support Services career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $22,500 in median debt clears quickly against $76,060 in annual earnings.

A #44 ranking among 74 Dental Support Services programs places Pacific University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $76,060 to $86,554 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Pacific University

A 92% acceptance rate means Pacific University is accessible to most applicants, with a smaller student body of 1,556 in Forest Grove, OR. The average net cost of $141,400 over four years represents a 35% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Pacific University →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Dental hygienists $94,260/yr
Dental laboratory technicians $48,310/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 74 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Foothill College ($81,255) Lake Washington Institute of Technology ($77,431) University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center ($75,367) University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus ($75,367) College of Southern Nevada ($75,252) West Coast University-Los Angeles ($73,751) West Coast University-Orange County ($73,751) Farmingdale State College ($72,908)

Other Majors at Pacific University

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($44,435) Psychology, General ($34,930) Biology, General ($34,612) Education, General ($34,067) Public Health ($30,412) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($26,219) Communication and Media Studies ($23,879)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Dental Support Services trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Dental Support Services at Pacific University?
At 57/100, the score looks reasonable — but Dental Support Services is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →