Lozza
fcit hit it on the head with these schools. You simply can't trust a word they say...you have to talk to graduates and that means calling around or posting inquiries ont he ADF bulletin board. Remember, 95% placement my be accurate, but placement with who and doing what? AFDTC in Dallas has a fairly good rep in the industry....despite what Sheffield thinks about them.
As far as dispatching jobs go in the US, there is no standard industry start pay. Some, particularly the smaller turboprop commuters (ACA, ASA, etc) offer as low as $10 an hour up to the low $20k. This is the normal route for fresh off the street dispatchers with zero aviation experience. If you have some experience, a university degree, etc, you may be able to get on with a regional (SkyWest, United Express, Comair, etc) and get mid to high 20K. Most of the larger carriers will not hire from outside or from the street. Delta is a prime example of this, although they do have a European op in Frankfurt that hires on a different basis.
Now in order to get that far in the USA, one must be a green card holding resident alien. In order to get the green card, one must be sponsored by a US national/resident, or possess enough cash to get by/start your own business, or have an offer of employment. It really isn't that hard for an individual, but it does get difficult for families. Call the US Embassy in London for more info.
The other option is mainland Europe and the Middle East. In the absence of a JAR equivilant, several carriers prefer the FAA ticket over nothing at all. Check out Crossair (Switzerland). Good luck.